Despite the awkward start, the proceedings carried on as if nothing had happened
THIS is the bizarre moment a Detroit police officer appeared at a remote court hearing wearing his official uniform shirt – but no trousers.
Officer Matthew Jackson stunned the courtroom and is now under investigation when he logged into a Zoom hearing wearing only his boxer briefs below the waist.
The jaw-dropping moment took place on on October 27 and quickly went viral after the judge – clearly taken back – called him out in front of everyone.
“You got some pants on, sir?” asked Judge Sean Perkins.
“No, sir,” Jackson admitted, before hurriedly adjusting his camera to crop out his bare legs.
The bizarre exchange took place during a hearing for a woman accused of drag racing and disorderly conduct.
Despite the awkward start, the proceedings carried on as if nothing had happened.
But stunned court staff and attorneys weren’t quick to forget it.
Attorney TaTaNisha Reed, who was representing the defendant, said she couldn’t believe her eyes.
“I was trying to figure it out. Like, Am I seeing what I think I’m seeing?Especially with a police officer. So it was an interesting day to say the least,” she told ABC7.
Reed even stepped in mid-hearing to point it out.
“I said, ‘Judge, he needs to alter his camera,’ and that’s when the judge said, ‘Oh,’” she recalled.
The clip has since made the rounds online, prompting an internal investigation by the Detroit Police Department.
36th District Court Chief Judge William McConico said the presiding judge was left completely shocked.
“I spoke with Judge Perkins, because I wanted to know, you know, what went through his mind with how he handled the case,” McConico told ABC7.
“He was stunned, obviously. He was shocked. Officer Jackson is a person he’s known.”
But McConico added that Perkins chose not to halt the hearing out of respect for Jackson’s usually professional demeanor.
“He wanted to stress to me that Officer Jackson is a very professional police officer, he’s always been very courteous to the citizens, and that’s why it was a little bit stunning,” he said.
Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison released a statement condemning the incident and promising action.
“The Detroit Police Department requires its officers to represent themselves in a dignified and professional manner while attending court proceedings,” he said.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/news/15421132/cop-appears-court-zoom-without-trousers/