Detroit police detective demoted after post calls black activists 'terrorists'

Department investigating Nate Weekley; others call for his resignation

DETROIT – A white Detroit police detective has been demoted after calling the Black Lives Matter movement "racists" and "terrorists" in a Facebook post. 

Nate Weekley posted the comments in reaction to Thursday's unrest in Dallas, where five police officers were killed and several others were wounded after a man opened fire on them. 

The post read: 

"For the first time in my nearly 17 years as a law enforcement officer I contemplated calling in to work in response to the outrageous act perpetrated against my brother. It seems like the only response that will demonstrate our importance to society as a whole. The only racists here are the piece of (expletive) black Lives Matter terrorists and their supporters ..."

Police Chief James Craig said an internal investigation is underway, and that Weekley has been de-appointed from detective to police officer.

Craig said officers are held to a high standard, even when they take their badges off at home.

“If you post something that is contrary to your role as a police officer, our oath of office, we will certainly take prompt and decisive action,” he said. “Preliminarily, it’s certainly inappropriate, it’s certainly unprofessional."

Craig stressed that Weekley has a right to due process and will be treated like anyone else who is facing an allegation. 

 

Craig said he is also looking into another incident involving an inappropriate post by a supervisor. As a result of his comments, he was also re-assigned and placed on restricted duty pending the outcome of an Internal Affairs investigation.

The Michigan National Action Network is calling for Weekley to be fired. 

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," said NAN political director Sam Riddle. "Supporters of Black Lives Matter just held a peaceful non-violent rally in Detroit attended by over a thousand individuals without incident. Detroit does not need the hateful intolerance of Weekley."

Weekley is the brother of Joseph Weekley, the Detroit police officer who was accused of killing Aiyana Jones during a raid in 2010.