Caller asks Detroit mayor and interim police chief to seek independent prosecution in alleged assault and police misconduct

A Detroit resident, Teney Hankins, asked the mayor and the interim police chief to ensure independent prosecution of an individual who assaulted her and to investigate alleged subsequent misconduct by Detroit Police Department officers.

Hankins read a letter into the record asking Mayor Mike Duggan and Interim Police Chief Todd Bettison to "ensure the independent prosecution of the individual who assaulted her in July, including any post-assault violations and potential law breaking involving Detroit Police Department officers." She added that an Assistant Deputy Chief contacted her twice after she had complained and that she considered those contacts improper because she had filed a complaint against that officer.

Council staff said they would follow up. “We’re gonna actually take this and create a memorandum to the department as well to get an official written response for the record so that we can have something that we can relay back to you in writing,” a representative of the council said, noting the office would add the matter to the council’s agenda.

Why it matters: The request seeks independent review of an assault allegation and alleges potential departmental misconduct; the council’s promise to request a formal written response creates a written trail and suggests staff will press the police department for a formal written reply.

What didn’t happen: The council did not announce an independent prosecutor or set a specific timeline for any investigation at the meeting. Hankins said she had not yet received follow-up from council offices after a prior public comment three weeks earlier.

What’s next: Council staff said they would create a memorandum to the police department and would ensure the complaint and response are recorded and shared with Hankins.