Police commission upholds disqualification of applicant Caitlin Fisher after investigators cite omissions and conduct concerns
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Summary
After an evidentiary review, Highland Park's Police Commission upheld the disqualification of applicant Caitlin Fisher, citing omissions on a notarized MCOLES personal history packet, photographs from a Wayne County internal‑affairs camera, a resignation during an internal investigation, and conduct concerns; the commission will issue a written determination to HR.
The Highland Park Police Commission voted to uphold the disqualification of Caitlin Fisher from consideration for a police position after investigators presented findings they said showed omitted information in application materials and conduct inconsistent with department standards.
What was presented: Director Lackey and investigators told the commission they reviewed Fisher's Highland Park application packets, including a notarized Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) personal history packet, and found that the Wayne County Sheriff's Office reference and related investigative matters were omitted from the notarized form. Investigators said they later obtained three camera images from the Wayne County jail showing Fisher in proximity to a Wayne County employee and produced a resignation letter listing a last day of June 20, 2023. Director Lackey said Wayne County recorded Fisher's separation as a resignation while an internal affairs investigation was open.
Investigative framing and policy: Lackey explained the department's policy 605 (a Brady policy) and said veracity or credibility issues must be disclosed because they can affect a prosecutor's ability to call an officer as a witness. He told the commission that hiring a candidate with undisclosed credibility concerns could require additional prosecutor approval and might violate departmental obligations.
Applicant's response: Caitlin Fisher appeared before the commission and read a prepared statement acknowledging errors in her paperwork and saying she had previously disclosed some information verbally during recruitment processes. Fisher said she had not been criminally charged and denied involvement in drug distribution; she also acknowledged that she was removed from the Detroit Police Academy for failing to disclose a matter there. "I agree with that decision a 110%," she said of that removal, while contesting that omission in other packets was intentional.
Commission discussion and decision: Commissioners pressed Fisher on questions of integrity, stressing that omissions on application materials are treated like lying and create veracity concerns. Investigators characterized the matter as both an administrative and criminal inquiry at times, and they explained that the totality of omissions and conduct (including on‑camera conduct and the transfer of items between inmates) led them to conclude Fisher did not meet Highland Park's standards. After the applicant left, the commission discussed the evidence and confirmed the disqualification stands; the chair said the commission will provide a written determination to human resources.
Next steps: The commission will issue a written decision to HR and the applicant. No appeal timetable was specified on the record at the meeting.
