Detroit Police Chief to Terminate Officers Over Border Patrol Contacts

Two officers face termination for violating department policy by contacting federal immigration authorities during traffic stops.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison announced plans to terminate two officers who contacted U.S. Customs and Border Protection during separate traffic stops, violating the department's policy prohibiting officers from contacting federal immigration authorities. The incidents occurred in December 2025 and February 2026, and the officers have been suspended with pay pending further disciplinary action.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, with many cities and police departments implementing policies to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Detroit's policy aims to build trust with immigrant communities and avoid subjecting individuals to additional scrutiny based on their immigration status.

The details

According to Bettison, in the December incident, an officer believed an individual they were investigating on a felony warrant was not a U.S. citizen and contacted Border Patrol, who then detained the person. In the February incident, a sergeant responding to a traffic stop called Border Patrol after learning the person involved did not speak English, and federal agents subsequently determined the individual was not a U.S. citizen and detained them.

  • On December 16, 2025, one of the incidents occurred.
  • On February 9, 2026, the second incident took place.

The players

Todd Bettison

The Detroit Police Chief who announced plans to terminate the two officers for violating department policy.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

The federal agency that responded to the traffic stops and detained individuals after being contacted by the Detroit police officers.

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What they’re saying

“Contacting Border Patrol, ICE or other federal agencies for translation services is strictly prohibited, as it subjects individuals to extreme scrutiny.”

— Todd Bettison, Detroit Police Chief (cbsnews.com)

“There's absolutely no reason to contact federal law enforcement agencies to assist with translation services.”

— Todd Bettison, Detroit Police Chief (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The Board of Police Commissioners will discuss the matter during a closed-door session this Thursday to determine the final disciplinary action for the two officers.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, with many cities implementing policies to limit cooperation in order to build trust with immigrant communities and avoid subjecting individuals to additional scrutiny based on their immigration status.