DETROIT (WXYZ) — Detroit police commissioner Bryan Ferguson has resigned from the Board of Police Commissioners after being cited for “indecent obscene conduct” Wednesday morning.
Ferguson was accused of soliciting a prostitute in Detroit.
In his resignation, Ferguson wrote:
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.
Again, I admonish the Board and the public to remain focused on the important work of oversight, transparency and accountability
Ferguson has been a commissioner overseeing the department since 2022 and served a term as chairman of the board until July 1.
Just after 7 a.m. Wednesday, according to Wayne County sheriff’s officials, Ferguson was observed by an undercover sergeant engaging in a sex act in his truck near the intersection of Sorrento Avenue and Schoolcraft Road.
Ferguson is alleged to have told the sheriff’s deputies that he is a police commissioner, according to a sheriff's official, and asked: “Can you help me out with this?”
The woman Ferguson is alleged to have been intimate with was also cited with indecent obscene conduct and released.
Reached by phone Wednesday afternoon, Ferguson adamantly denied that he was engaging in any sexual contact with the woman. He said he was driving his truck Wednesday morning when he heard a noise coming from the truck bed.
Ferguson said he pulled over to investigate the cause, and that’s when he saw a woman fleeing from a man and screaming. He said she jumped into his vehicle without his permission and said she feared for her life.
“I start screaming at her: Get the F out of my truck. I was cussing — get the F out of my truck. Get out. Get out right now!'” Ferguson said.
“She’s hollering out, please help me, he’s going to kill me! I said I don’t even care. Get out of my truck. While I was saying that, I’m trying to push her out of my truck... well, when I went to go step out of my truck, an SUV go pulling out with white lights.”
Ferguson said he does not understand why the sheriff’s deputies believe he was engaging in a sex act and said he only volunteered his role as a police commissioner when they said they recognized him.
During a weekly meeting Thursday evening, the board voted to accept Ferguson's resignation.
"We as the board are well aware of the reports that have been made regarding Mr. Ferguson," board Chair QuanTez Pressley said.
Vice Chair Rev. Jim Holley says he believes in due process but can ensure it's business as usual for the board.
"Obviously, very much disappointed and unbelievable but more than anything else, I think he did the right thing by offering his resignation, making sure his problems do not get in the way of the problems we have here," Holley sad.
One person attending the meeting says she spoke to Ferguson before the meeting and encouraged him to "apologize and be good to his wife."
Activist Bernice Smith said, " I want all of you to know that he is very remorseful for what happened to him and believe me, he knows that God is looking at him."
Holley said the mayor has the power to temporarily fill Ferguson's seat until the next election.
