Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison is being investigated by the city’s Office of Inspector General after contacting people who shared social-media photographs of Mayor Mary Sheffield with her former partner.
The inquiry centres on Bettison’s calls to Detroit activist Jahdante Smith and businessman Marvin Walker, during which the chief acknowledged asking for the images to be removed. The Office of Inspector General has confirmed the investigation but declined to discuss its scope while it remains open. ([fox2detroit.com](https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/detroit-police-chief-todd-bettison-mary-sheffield))
The watchdog is responsible for examining allegations of waste, abuse, fraud and corruption within Detroit city government. Its investigation is separate from the police inquiries involving Smith and Walker.
Police chief denies influencing phone seizure
Smith said Bettison called him repeatedly, including on August 5, after he posted photographs of Sheffield and Walker. He later refused to remove the material.
On August 19, Smith was stopped by Detroit officers near Hart Plaza while with his seven-year-old son. He was handcuffed and released, but said police seized his mobile phone under a search warrant.
Smith believes the seizure was connected to his refusal to delete the photographs and described the episode as an “overuse of power”. Detroit police have denied that claim, saying the warrant arose from a separate complaint in which a woman alleged Smith had threatened her life.
Bettison said the investigation began before his conversation with Smith and that the evidence had been presented to a judge before the warrant was issued.
“Any suggestion that I influenced or used the investigation for any other purpose is completely false because the facts and timeline speak for themselves,” he said.
The Detroit Police Department confirmed on September 10 that its investigations into Smith and Walker had been transferred to an outside law-enforcement agency, as scrutiny of the chief’s involvement increased. ([aol.com](https://www.aol.com/articles/detroit-police-transfer-case-involving-100516000.html?utm_source=openai))
Questions over mayor’s former partner
Walker, who previously had a relationship with Sheffield when she was a city council member, has alleged that she used him to collect illegal kickbacks. Sheffield has denied the allegation, while Walker has also rejected claims made about him.
Sheffield said private photographs and communications had been used to “bully, harass, and intimidate” her. She also denied that Walker had received city funds or a city contract.
Former Detroit police chief James Craig said Bettison should not have become involved in the mayor’s private affairs and questioned whether departmental resources had been used improperly.
“Public trust is hard to gain and easy to lose,” Craig said.
Bettison has maintained that his request was personal, saying he considered the images inappropriate and believed they were intended to shame and humiliate Sheffield. The inspector general’s investigation will determine whether his conduct breached city rules or involved any misuse of his office.
