Katrease Stafford

Detroit Free Press

A Detroit Police Department detective has been demoted and an internal investigation has been launched after his Facebook post deriding the Black Lives Matter movement went viral and drew harsh public criticism.

Chief James Craig identified the detective as Nathan Weekley, the brother of Officer Joseph Weekley, who fatally shot 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones during a police raid in 2010. All charges including a felony charge of involuntary manslaughter and a separate misdemeanor charge were dropped against Joseph Weekley after two mistrials.

"I became aware the night of the posting on social media," Craig said Monday. "And once becoming aware of it I notified my team so we could have a discussion. And based on the preliminary discussion assessment of it, Detective Weekley has been de-appointed down from the ranking of detective to police officer and he has been reassigned and we have opened an internal investigation into the matter."

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In the posting, which was made in response to the recent killings of five police officers in Dallas, Nathan Weekley called Black Lives Matter members and supporters "terrorists." Weekley could not be immediately reached for comment.

"For the first time in my nearly 17 years as a law enforcement officer, I contemplated calling into work in response to the outrageous act perpetrated against my brothers," Weekley wrote. "It seems like the only response that will demonstrate our importance to society as a whole. The only racists here are the piece of s--t Black Lives Matter terrorists and their supporters."

Craig said although he took "very quick action" in demoting and reassigning Weekley from a special detective assignment, he reiterated the officer is still entitled to a due process and fair investigation.

"We have to let that run," Craig said. "That's by contract and certainly out of fairness. We are aware that he posted and he has since removed the post and we recognize that it is still trending. We are concerned as a organization because it does tend to undermine all of the good work that I just described that we're doing in the community."

Craig said his department is looking at another questionable social media post made by a supervisor within the department, but declined to share details about the investigation.

"We're looking at another troubling post by an African American and I'm going to be following up with that with my staff shortly," Craig said. "I was just briefed on that minutes ago and we're going to treat that the same. Race doesn't matter. Race, gender if you post something that's contrary to our oath of office, we will certainly take decisive and prompt action."

Meanwhile on Monday, the National Action Network in a letter to Mayor Mike Duggan demanded Weekley be fired and no longer allowed to serve the people of Detroit.

"This post denigrates the overwhelming majority of Detroit police that serve and protect with honor while placing their lives on the line every hour of every day," wrote Sam Riddle, political director of the Michigan National Action Network. "Mayor Duggan we have a nation on edge due to a racial divide and the slaughter of Black Americans by police that literally get away with murder. Detroit, America's Blackest and poorest city, cannot afford to have a policeman on duty so filled with hate for the dominant population of Detroit."

Craig said he and Duggan are aware of NAN's demands, adding that he held a three-hour meeting with the organization this weekend before Weekley's post came to light.

"We have worked so hard and continue to work hard in making sure we have great relationships with everyone here in Detroit," Craig said. "I praised the protesters on Friday. You see the images in the other parts of country where crimes are being committed. In Detroit, folks here respect the law and order. There was not one incident. ... I spent three hours having a discussion with the National Action Network on how we can build and enhance our relationship with the community."

Craig said a thorough investigation will be completed and he understands that police officers are held to a "much higher standard" by the public.

"The public expects us that when we express an opinion that's contrary to the department's mission, that's a problem," Craig said. "We've disciplined others in the past for similar acts. Certainly social media can be a friend, but if you want to inject personal opinions then you'll face prompt action."

Contact Katrease Stafford: kstafford@freepress.com