A police commissioner has quit after he was found with a sex worker in his car. Bryan Ferguson, a member of the Detroit Police Board of Commissioners, asked officers at the scene if they could “help him out”.
Ferguson, a former chair of Detroit Police’s Oversight Board, announced his resignation on Thursday (July 14) – the day after he was found with the sex worker. Undercover narcotics agents allegedly spotted Ferguson committing a lewd act with a known sex worker around 7.15am on Wednesday morning.
Ferguson asked deputies at the scene if they could “help him out” and told them who he was, said Detroit Police’s Capt. Jason Bates. However, Ferguson told the Detroit Free Press the allegations are a “big misunderstanding” and said he “has nothing to hide.
But Captain Bates, talking about the incident, said: “At that time, Mr Bryan Ferguson stepped out, identified himself as a Detroit police commissioner. A title or position doesn’t make them above the law.”
Bates said Ferguson was issued a misdemeanour citation for indecent or obscene conduct involving a sex act with a prostitute. Ferguson, however, maintains his innocence. He claims the woman – who he says he did not know – entered his vehicle and “just pulled up right on me.”
“This is rough. This is rough to tell. Because now I’m going to have to have this conversation with my family,” Ferguson said.
Nonetheless, Ferguson has announced his resignation. He said: “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the residents of Detroit in police oversight.
“After further consideration of the best interests of my family and the Board, I am choosing to resign as District 1 Police Commissioner effective immediately.”
