A Detroit police sergeant has filed a federal lawsuit against the Detroit Police Department after receiving a 30-day unpaid suspension for contacting federal immigration authorities during a routine traffic stop, claiming her due process rights were violated.
Sgt. Denise Wallet, a 27-year veteran of the Detroit Police Department, was disciplined following a Feb. 9 traffic stop involving a Venezuelan man whose identity officers struggled to verify.
Department officials said Wallet violated policy by contacting U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which led to the man’s detention.
Wallet contends she acted under the guidance of a supervising lieutenant and in accordance with federal law, specifically Section 1373 of Title 8, which prohibits local restrictions on communication with federal immigration authorities.
Leaked body camera footage shows Wallet repeatedly stating that she contacted Border Patrol at her lieutenant’s instruction after department fingerprint scanners failed to confirm the man’s identity.
The hour-long video highlights Wallet’s insistence on verifying identities to prevent dangerous individuals from evading capture.
“Yep, exactly. And then you find out, you find out later, they’re like, ‘You ran this guy, like, a hundred times, and it turned out he was—Pablo Escobar Jr.,” Wallet said on the recording, according to Chiefs Wire.
Wallet’s attorney, Solomon Radner, emphasized that the video demonstrates she followed protocol and acted responsibly.
“It’s very clear if you watch the entire video that she’s doing everything she can not to violate policy and that the phone call with her supervisor is her trying not to violate policy,” Radner said.
He stressed that Wallet’s actions were strictly related to verifying identity, not translation or other duties.
Initially, the department sought to terminate Wallet, but Police Chief Todd Bettison later revised the decision to a 30-day unpaid suspension, which the board of police commissioners unanimously approved.
The move drew praise from federal authorities and came after criticism from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over the department’s initial disciplinary approach, LifeZette reported.
The case has brought renewed attention to departmental policies limiting contact with federal immigration authorities.
Another officer faced suspension in a separate incident for similar coordination, sparking debate over the balance between local directives and federal obligations.
Wallet’s lawsuit seeks to prevent further discipline, arguing her actions were legally justified and within the scope of her duties.
Supporters of Wallet say her remarks and actions have been mischaracterized.
Radner noted that Wallet’s comments about potential risks during the stop were meant to underscore the importance of verifying identities, not to suggest discriminatory enforcement.
“You could be. You have no idea who he is. It’s important to ID who people are and that’s true for people who are Black, White, South American, Asian,” he said.
The department has announced a comprehensive review of the incident, including the lieutenant’s involvement and all statements captured on body cameras.
Officials emphasized the department maintains a policy against discriminatory policing while also reviewing internal protocols regarding coordination with federal immigration authorities.
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