Detroit Police Chief Suspends Officers for Calling Border Patrol

Punishment recommended for violating policy prohibiting involvement in immigration enforcement

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The Detroit Police Department has disclosed interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), leading to the suspension and recommended termination of two officers who violated internal policy by contacting U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. Police Chief Todd Bettison assured the City Council that these officers are outliers and that penalties will be severe for any future violations.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, as well as the challenges cities face in balancing public safety with protecting the rights of immigrant communities. Detroit's policy prohibiting police involvement in immigration enforcement is intended to build trust between the department and residents, but the actions of these two officers undermine those efforts.

The details

The memo released by the Detroit City Council shows that ICE called DPD for assistance on two occasions in 2025, and that DPD also requested help from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol in one incident. In total, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued 63 detainers asking Detroit police to hold people who were already arrested so federal agents could apprehend them, and 28 of those individuals were picked up on the detainer. The two suspended officers violated DPD policy by contacting Border Patrol, leading to the apprehension of non-citizens.

  • On Nov. 16, 2025, ICE called DPD seeking a medical evaluation for a detainee.
  • On Dec. 2, 2025, ICE called DPD to assist in a pursuit of two individuals on foot.
  • On July 28, 2025, DPD requested assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol after pulling over a person with a Mexican consular ID card.
  • On Dec. 16, 2025, an incident was discovered during an audit of body-worn cameras.
  • On Feb. 9, 2026, another incident involving DPD contacting Border Patrol was discovered.

The players

Todd Bettison

The Detroit Police Chief who suspended the two officers and recommended their termination.

Charles Fitzgerald

The First Assistant Chief of the Detroit Police Department who provided context on the incidents where officers contacted U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

Raquel Santiago-Romero

A Detroit City Council member who is pushing for Detroit to become a sanctuary city and set up a hotline for residents to report concerns of police officers working with ICE.

Kassandra Rodriguez

An activist with the Detroit Community Action Committee who said people are being deported while the city is having a conversation about what to call itself.

Denzel McCampbell

A Detroit City Council member who requested a report on the city's data sharing policies.

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What they’re saying

“We're not in the immigration business at DPD, we never have and never will.”

— Charles Fitzgerald, First Assistant Chief, Detroit Police Department (bridgedetroit.com)

“Penalties will be severe.”

— Todd Bettison, Police Chief, Detroit Police Department (bridgedetroit.com)

“Undocumented immigrants are asking for legal aid and police accountability.”

— Raquel Santiago-Romero, Detroit City Council Member (bridgedetroit.com)

What’s next

The Detroit Police Department will hold a hearing within 21 days to decide the fate of the two suspended officers.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, as well as the challenges cities face in balancing public safety with protecting the rights of immigrant communities. Detroit's policy prohibiting police involvement in immigration enforcement is intended to build trust, but the actions of these two officers undermine those efforts.