Detroit’s Police Chief Reconsiders Resignation
Detroit’s newly appointed police chief has stepped back from his earlier commitment to resign, despite local media revealing his criminal past and tense relationships with officers.
Darius Morris, 38, was among more than a dozen members sworn in on December 17 to the police commission, which oversees the Detroit Police Department. He secured the District 3 seat through a write-in campaign after the ballot featured no other candidates.
However, just weeks later, a report from WXYZ-TV suggested Morris considered resigning.
Morris’s criminal history dates back to 2009, when he pleaded no contest to felony fraud and impersonation tied to “real estate fraud.” He described how, during a time of foreclosures, deeds to homes were fraudulently altered. He received a suspended sentence but later, in a separate incident, faced fraud charges again and served two years in prison. For the past 12 years, he has seemingly adhered to the law.
In May 2023, his situation regained spotlight after a routine traffic stop involving a minibike in the nearby city of Warren. The driver, lacking a valid license, was confronted by officers while Morris claimed he was merely observing to ensure proper conduct. He sported a silver police badge purchased online and misled officers by saying he was a “chaplain for the Detroit Police Department’s 9th Precinct.”
Body camera footage shows a Warren police officer telling Morris to “Stay close to the vehicle” and warning him not to interfere. Morris, agitated, called the officer an “idiot” multiple times, insisting, “If I had laid hands on him, I would have shot him!” He later pleaded guilty to charges of assault and resisting arrest, receiving probation for his actions. In a moment of reflection, he admitted that his rant stemmed from anger, though he maintained he was unarmed and later extended an apology to the officer.
Since taking office, Morris, who refers to himself as the “People’s Commissar,” has been a source of frustration for local officials due to his behavior and language. On December 28, he disrupted emergency efforts for a drug overdose victim, leading an officer to beg for cooperation during a critical moment. Additionally, he obstructed procedures at the police station by refusing to comply with security protocols, telling staff to “write [the information] down on a piece of paper.”
Morris has also made controversial remarks accusing a white police commander of racism, claiming that many Black citizens felt mistreated by officers in the precinct. He voiced personal experiences of disrespect from one officer in a now-deleted social media post, calling for the immediate removal of the commander.
At least one police organization has demanded his resignation, citing alarming comments directed at officers and a failure to uphold commitments made during his campaign. Following his election, he had expressed a desire to foster better relations between young people and law enforcement. Yet, just weeks into his tenure, he’s stirred public discontent against the police.
After the WXYZ report, Morris seemed poised to step down, indicating that he had his belongings packed and was ready to go, acknowledging that the community may see the Board of Police Commissioners in an “unfavorable light.” But his attorney, Mohamed Nasser, later retracted that statement, asserting that Morris had no intention of resigning.
Interestingly, Morris may still face legal challenges stemming from past weapons charges, which were previously dropped when an officer missed a court date. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy’s office noted that those charges could potentially be refiled.
Nasser commented on the ongoing legal situation, advising against any resignations until they could navigate potential criminal issues as they arise. The Board of Police Commissioners has not yet responded to inquiries related to Morris’s conduct.
