By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
SOUTHGATE – An off-duty Highland Park police officer was taken into custody early Wednesday morning and may face charges after an alleged fight at a Southgate bar.
Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Maria Miller said that, as of Thursday morning, a warrant request was being reviewed.
Southgate police responded to a call about 2 a.m. Wednesday from Subi’s Place, 12916 North Line Road, and were told that a Highland Park police officer had engaged in a fight with strip club security staff in the parking lot.
Investigators were reportedly told the man – whose name and age have not been released – had been at the club with his girlfriend earlier that evening, and had identified himself as a police officer by showing his badge. He left the club for a while but returned near closing time, and allegedly began arguing with a bouncer.
The officer was reportedly armed at the time and the club manager called police, who took the off-duty officer into custody.
Police and prosecutors were reviewing evidence, including video images that may include the alleged argument, and charges remained pending.
Southgate Director of Public Safety Thomas Coombs and Police Chief Jeffrey Smith were not immediately available for comment.
The adult entertainment club was included in a police corruption investigation by the Michigan State Police that ended with no-contest pleas to embezzlement charges from three former police officers from Romulus, which had pretended to investigate strip clubs in that city and Southgate while allegedly operating a prostitution and drug ring.
The Highland Park officer taken into custody Wednesday is reportedly a retired Ann Arbor cop who works part time in Fowlerville and Highland Park, where he is assigned to the narcotics division.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected].)