Two veterans of local police forces have been arrested in connection with an alleged assault and robbery in Detroit, Police Chief James Craig said Monday.
The two sergeants allegedly arrived together at a gas station on the city's east side on July 21. Wearing plainclothes with their badges visible, the off-duty cops allegedly exited their vehicle with guns drawn and detained two individuals in their early 20s, assaulting and robbing one of a cell phone and stealing money from the other.
One sergeant has been with the Detroit Police Department for 20 years, the other with the St. Clair Shores Police Department for 17 years. The sergeants started in the same academy class, Craig said. Craig said they could not release the names of the officials because of the ongoing investigation.
"Allegations of improper conduct lodged against our members are taken seriously and are always seriously investigated," he said. "The actions of a few should not detract from the thousands of diligent, hardworking men and women who wear this uniform and serve the citizens of Detroit."
The two individuals believed they had been held up by criminals impersonating cops. But when an investigator saw a photograph of the incident taken by another citizen, he recognized a colleague in the photograph. At that time, Internal Affairs took over the investigation. One of the complainants was able to recognize the St. Clair Shores officer.
The two officers were taken into custody Sunday but have not yet been charged.
Craig said there was no indication that either of the two officers were involved in another recent crime allegedly perpetrated by individuals impersonating cops.
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