Detroit police officer under investigation for racial slurs

Taylor Nichole Morris
Detroit Free Press

The Detroit Police Department has opened an investigation after an officer was heard making racial slurs, according to an official.

Detroit police internal affairs was notified of the incident on Nov. 18.

Chris Graveline, director of Professional Standards Bureau and Constitutional Policing for the department, said the slurs were overheard during a FaceTime call between three officers — two African-American officers who work for the 2nd Precinct and a white officer from the 9th Precinct. All three officers were on duty.

During the phone call, one of the African American officers was on FaceTime with the white officer, when the white officer used the racial slur multiple times, according to Graveline. The third officer, who was in a squad car with the African American officer at the time, overheard the conversation and told the white officer to stop using the slur. 

The white officer since has been moved to the 7th Precinct and is confined to desk duties. 

All officers are cooperating. An investigation is ongoing. 

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