DETROIT (WXYZ) — A Detroit police officer has been arrested and suspended with pay after his body-worn camera allegedly recorded him stealing $600 from a suspect during a traffic stop, according to the Detroit Police Department.
The four-year veteran, who has not yet been publicly identified, was arrested in June inside the department’s 6th Precinct. The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office is now reviewing a warrant for possible criminal charges.
“This was a clear violation of the law,” said Cmdr. Michael McGinnis, noting that the officer’s own bodycam provided the evidence. “You can see an envelope of money in the suspect’s purse. One minute it’s there, the next second, it’s gone.”
The incident occurred on March 7, near the intersection of Joy and Evergreen Road, when three officers conducted a stop on a vehicle suspected of involvement in a narcotics handoff. Drugs were reportedly found inside the car, and both occupants were arrested.
After their release, a female passenger filed a citizen complaint, stating $600 was missing from her purse. Internal investigators reviewed the officer’s bodycam and found no mention of the cash in the police report or evidence logs.
“It was stolen,” McGinnis said plainly.
There is no indication that the two other officers involved were aware of the alleged theft. The department has since launched a wider review of the officer’s bodycam footage to determine if similar misconduct occurred in other cases.
Commissioner Ricardo Moore highlighted the irony that the officer’s own camera caught the crime, calling it “progress” amid ongoing concerns about officers disabling or failing to activate bodycams.
The officer is currently suspended with pay, but a motion to suspend him without pay will be considered at an upcoming Board of Police Commissioners meeting.
“We cannot let this define us,” McGinnis said. “One bad officer does not reflect the entire Detroit Police Department.”
The Detroit Police Officers Association has not commented on the case.
