Answers Needed On The Use Of Deadly Force By Task Force, DPD Says Police Commissioner
DETROIT (WWJ) - As the Wayne County Prosecutor determines whether to file charges against an ICE agent involved in the shooting death of a Detroit man - a Detroit police commissioner is asking questions about the role of police in connection with the task force involved.
Police Commissioner Willie Burton of the 5th District says he's not clear on what the Detroit Police Department's role is on the Detroit Fugitive Apprehension Task (D-FAT) force, and in particular, the policy on the use of deadly force.
The question comes after the death of 20-year-old Terrance Kellom, killed as he was taken into custody by members of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) - part of the D-FAT force.
"What is DPD's policy on deadly force?" asked Burton. "What is the task force policy in conjunction with deadly force. And if we had tasers could this have gone a different way?"
Burton says he's not clear on the Detroit Police Department's role on the task force involved in the shooting and that citizens as well as the Board of Commissioners want the answer to that question.
Police said Kellom had a hammer in his hand as he threatened the officer, identified in media reports as 39-year-old Mitchell Quinn, who then opened fire.
Family members inside the home at the time, however, dispute that claim, saying Kellom, a fugitive wanted on armed robbery and weapons charges, was unarmed when Quinn shot him multiple times.
"A man was ... shot to death," said Burton. "And also, what is the policy on employment of deadly force ... should DPD participate on any task force that may place a premium role on human life."
The Wayne County prosecutor's office said Wednesday that it has received paperwork from a state and Detroit Police Department task force following the April 27 death of Kellom.
In April it was reported that Quinn, the federal agent under investigation for shooting Kellom, has been in trouble with the law before — he faced criminal charges seven years ago while working as a Detroit police officer.