DETROIT — The Detroit Police Department is conducting "multiple criminal and administrative investigations" into the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners, the 11-member citizens panel that's charged with overseeing the city's police department, according to an email the board chairman sent Monday.
Two sources familiar with the investigation said they are focusing on whether the board paid one or more "ghost" or nonexistent employees and allegations that board officials shredded documents to cover up the alleged payroll scam. Two board staffers have been placed on leave with pay during the probes, prompting criticism from at least one commissioner who called the move "unprecedented."
In his email to the board obtained by The Detroit News, Chairman Bryan Ferguson wrote: "Exigent actions were taken Friday, March 24th to guard evidence from being and/or further being altered, stolen and/or destroyed ... I would advise Commissioners not to involve yourselves in these investigations other than being fully cooperative."
