A pair of Detroit police officers are being accused of being crooked cops after enough evidence has been collected to indict that they have been making extra wages by robbing dope dealers for years.
Reports Yahoo:
An indictment against Lt. David Hansberry, 34, and Officer Bryan Watson, 46, was unsealed Thursday, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. They have been suspended since October and were previously assigned to the department’s now-disbanded Narcotics Section.
They face charges including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute narcotics, conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, cocaine possession and multiple counts of interference with commerce by robbery and extortion.
At a news conference Thursday afternoon, police Chief James Craig said he was “troubled” by the allegations and said they affect the public’s trust in his department.
“The vast majority of the men and women of the Detroit Police Department are honest and hard-working, they honor the badge they wear and the oath they took to serve and protect the citizens of this city,” Craig said. He said four other former narcotics officers remain suspended with pay until the investigation is complete.
Detroit police have been cooperating with the investigation, said U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade.
“Officers who violate the law cannot be tolerated because effective law enforcement requires public trust,” McQuade said in a statement. “We applaud Chief Craig’s commitment to root out any officers who tarnish the badge.”
Both officers have pleaded not guilty.
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Photo: WXYZ-TV Detroit
