Detroit Police Chief Seeks Termination Of Cops Who Called ICE

(NationalFreedomPress.com) – Detroit police officers face termination for doing what should be common sense—cooperating with federal immigration authorities to uphold the law—exposing how sanctuary city policies punish officers who prioritize public safety over political correctness.

Story Snapshot

Detroit Police Chief seeks to fire one officer and one sergeant for contacting CBP during separate incidents in December 2025 and February 2026
Department policy explicitly prohibits any cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, even for translation services, to maintain “community trust”
Both officers suspended with pay while Board of Police Commissioners reviews termination requests
Retired Assistant Chief questions disproportionate punishment compared to more serious past violations that went unpunished

Officers Punished for Enforcing Federal Law

Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison announced February 12, 2026, his intent to terminate two officers for violating department policy by contacting U.S. Customs and Border Protection during routine police activities. The first incident occurred December 16, 2025, when an officer investigating a felony warrant suspected an individual was not a U.S. citizen and contacted CBP, resulting in federal detention. The second case happened February 9, 2026, when a sergeant requested translation assistance from CBP during a traffic stop involving a non-English speaker, also leading to federal detention. Both officers were suspended with pay pending Board of Police Commissioners review.

Sanctuary Policy Prioritizes Politics Over Safety

The Detroit Police Department maintains strict prohibitions against any cooperation with federal immigration enforcement agencies, including CBP and ICE. This sanctuary-style policy extends beyond refusing active participation in immigration enforcement to blocking even basic requests for translation services. Chief Bettison claims 98-99% of officers comply with this directive, framing the violations as isolated incidents requiring accountability. Mayor Mary Sheffield’s administration supports the termination effort, with spokesperson John Roach reaffirming the non-cooperation stance. U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib praised the firings as necessary to prevent “biased policing” and maintain trust with immigrant communities who may be in the country illegally.

Inconsistent Discipline Raises Questions

Retired Detroit Police Assistant Chief Steve Dolunt acknowledged the policy violations but questioned whether termination represents proportionate punishment. Dolunt noted more egregious departmental infractions in the past resulted in lesser consequences or no punishment at all, suggesting inconsistent application of disciplinary standards. The disparity raises concerns about whether these officers are being made examples to satisfy political demands rather than receiving fair treatment under standard protocols. The Board of Police Commissioners must approve the chief’s request to suspend the officers without pay before proceeding to a command hearing on termination, a process that could take up to 21 days.

Federal-Local Tensions Escalate Under Trump

This controversy illustrates the widening gap between localities embracing sanctuary policies and the federal government’s constitutional authority to enforce immigration laws. Detroit’s immigrant population factors heavily into city leaders’ calculations, but prioritizing political correctness over cooperation with federal law enforcement undermines the rule of law. These officers simply contacted the appropriate federal agency when encountering potential immigration violations during legitimate police work. Their pending terminations send a chilling message that officers must ignore federal law to keep their jobs in Democrat-controlled cities. As President Trump’s administration strengthens immigration enforcement nationwide, conflicts between sanctuary jurisdictions and federal authorities will intensify, forcing officers to choose between local political mandates and upholding the Constitution.