Detroit’s Law Enforcement Under Scrutiny Amid Concerns Over Troubling Deputy’s History

Detroit: A Closer Look at a Troubling Trend in Law Enforcement

In the heart of Detroit, a situation has raised eyebrows and sparked conversations about standards in law enforcement. The story revolves around Jamonte Horton, currently working as a deputy with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, despite a rather tumultuous history in his previous roles in policing.

Background Checks and Multiple Firings

Before stepping into his current role, Horton faced challenges at nearly every police department he attempted to join. During his early career, he was let go or forced to resign from his positions at several agencies, including the Farmington Hills and Waterford Police Departments, as well as the Detroit Police Department—where he faced rejection not once, but twice. As if that weren’t enough, the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office also turned down his application. According to the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, Horton shouldn’t even be working as a police officer due to these failures.

Ricardo Moore, a commissioner from Detroit Police, candidly expressed the community’s sentiment, stating, “Some people are meant to be the police, and some people are meant to call the police. He’s someone who’s meant to call the police.” This remark underscores a feeling many are having regarding Horton’s suitability in law enforcement.

From Cadet to Controversy

Horton’s troubles reportedly began when he was just a cadet with the Wayne State Police. A party gone wrong led to him showing up with a loaded gun, a not-so-great start that resulted in him being shot and returning fire. In 2015, he resigned following his involvement in this incident. He then moved to the Ypsilanti Police Department, where things only worsened. Missing shifts, sleeping on the job, and even sharing inappropriate content with fellow officers—these issues painted a troubling picture of his professionalism.

During his tenure, he failed to follow essential protocols in critical situations, including a sexual assault investigation that went unaddressed for two and a half months. “Victims are the reason why police departments are in business. To help victims, and help people from being victims,” said Moore, further emphasizing the gravity of Horton’s failures in the line of duty.

Continued Missteps

After leaving Ypsilanti, Horton sought employment at the Highland Park Police Department. Here, once again, his judgment was frequently called into question. A notable incident at a strip club raised alarms when he handed off his department-issued AR-15 to a security guard—clearly violating department policies. Additionally, he was involved in a car accident while responding to a call and failed to check on the other driver involved.

The Final Straw

2022 proved to be a turning point for Horton after he was caught in a high-speed pursuit. Despite being explicitly ordered not to engage, he did so anyway—and worse, he manually turned off his body camera during the chase. His claims of a malfunction were quickly contradicted by GPS data, which revealed otherwise. The Highland Park Police Department described his actions as “egregious,” leading to his resignation from the force.

A Troubling New Role

Just weeks after his resignation in October 2022, Horton was hired by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. Even though his law enforcement license was deactivated, allowing him to work as a deputy—there are serious questions about whether he should be entrusted with such a position. The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office has long struggled with understaffing issues in its jails, which may have contributed to the decision to hire Horton.

Wayne County Commissioner Glenn Anderson expressed surprise, noting, “It’s very surprising that with a record like that, we would have him working at the sheriff’s department.” In response to the situation, Sheriff Raphael Washington assured the public they had not lowered standards in hiring, despite Horton’s controversial history.

A Community in Discussion

As the community grapples with this complex issue, many residents question the decision to hire someone with Horton’s background. It raises broader concerns about hiring practices in law enforcement and the importance of accountability and trust in those sworn to serve and protect.

While Horton still has the right to contest the earlier decision to deactivate his law enforcement license, for now, he continues his role as a deputy, igniting discussions about the future of law enforcement standards in Detroit and beyond.