A police sergeant is challenging her suspension, claiming it violates her rights and federal law. Denise Wallet filed a complaint against the City of Detroit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on February 19, 2026, alleging that her suspension was unjust and based on misinterpretations of departmental policies.
Sergeant Denise Wallet, a long-serving member of the Detroit Police Department (DPD), has been embroiled in controversy following an incident on February 9, 2026. Responding to a traffic stop where an individual could not be identified due to a fraudulent driver’s license, Wallet contacted U.S. Border Patrol for assistance. Her actions were reportedly at the direction of her lieutenant and aimed solely at identifying the suspect, not enforcing immigration laws. However, Chief of Police Todd A. Bettison issued a memorandum suspending Wallet with pay for allegedly violating city ordinances and DPD policy regarding communication with federal immigration authorities.
Wallet argues that her suspension infringes upon her procedural due process rights under the Fourteenth Amendment and violates federal law—specifically 8 USC § 1373—which prohibits restrictions on communication between local entities and federal immigration authorities. She asserts that she was not given prior notice or an opportunity to contest the suspension before it was imposed, which also affected her ability to earn overtime compensation.
The plaintiff contends that DPD’s policies restricting contact with federal agencies are overly broad and conflict with federal statutes intended to facilitate cooperation between local law enforcement and immigration authorities. These policies include directives prohibiting officers from contacting Border Patrol for translation services or soliciting information about individuals’ immigration status unless directly related to violent criminal offenses.
Wallet is seeking several forms of relief from the court: declaratory judgments affirming violations of her constitutional rights, injunctions preventing further disciplinary action based on alleged policy breaches, compensatory damages for lost wages and emotional distress, reinstatement without restrictions, and attorney’s fees. The case highlights ongoing tensions between local law enforcement practices and federal immigration laws.
Represented by Solomon M. Radner from Radner Law Group PLLC, Wallet’s case is being overseen by Judge SJM-APP under Case ID 2:26-cv-10581-SJM-APP.
Source: 226cv10581_Denise_Wallett_v_City_of_Detroit_Complaint_Eastern_District_of_Michigan.pdf
