After decades of service to the people of Detroit, two respected police officers are now suspended without pay for 30 days. Not for misconduct, corruption, or neglect of duty, but for coordinating with federal law enforcement during routine police work.

Sgt. Denise Wallet and Officer James Corsi are long-serving members of the Detroit Police Department. Sgt. Wallet is a 27-year veteran. Officer Corsi joined the department in 2015 and was named District 3 Officer of the Year in 2023.

In two separate incidents, each officer coordinated with federal law enforcement agencies to take dangerous criminals off our streets.

On December 16, Officer Corsi contacted Border Patrol during a traffic stop involving a felony warrant involving an illegal alien. Federal agents arrived and detained the suspect.

On February 9, Sgt. Wallet responded to a traffic stop where the suspect provided fake ID and could not be identified. At the direction of her lieutenant, Wallet contacted U.S. Customs and Border Protection for assistance. Border Patrol arrived, determined the individual was in the country illegally, and took the person into custody.

For these actions, both officers were suspended for 30 days without pay.

They now must cover living expenses without their paychecks while mounting legal defenses to protect their careers and reputations. All funds from this GoFundMe will be split evenly between Sgt. Wallet and Officer Corsi to help with lost wages, basic living expenses, and legal costs.

This fundraiser was launched to help offset what could be significant personal financial burdens for each officer, including:

Month-long unpaid suspension

Mounting legal fees

Permanent damage to their professional reputations

A lasting disciplinary mark that could hinder promotions

Loss of overtime opportunities, which many officers rely on to make a livable salary in Detroit

These officers are facing potentially tens of thousands of dollars in costs, possibly more than $75,000 each, simply for doing their jobs and working alongside federal partners. That kind of punishment sends a chilling message to every law enforcement officer in Michigan.