Detroit, MI – A member of the Detroit Fire Department has been demoted after being accused of payroll fraud and timecard manipulation. The allegations surfaced following an extensive Internal Affairs investigation by the Detroit Police Department.
According to a report from the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES), the fire department member’s law enforcement authority with the Detroit Police Department was permanently rescinded due to egregious misconduct involving a lack of accountability on June 4, 2025.
Payroll Fraud Allegations
The allegations revolve around unaccounted paid working hours between November 2022 and April 2023. The fire department member is accused of clocking in and out without actually performing the work. The Internal Affairs investigation uncovered that he had committed time fraud in excess of 150 hours, which was confirmed through witness interviews, payroll document reviews, and phone record examinations.
Despite the strong evidence against the individual, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office declined to press charges, citing insufficient evidence. The fire department member has not been formally charged with a crime but remains under scrutiny as reported.
Demotion and Department Changes
Chuck Simms, Executive Fire Commissioner for the Detroit Fire Department, confirmed that the member in question had been demoted and that the department is working to implement changes to the clocking-in and out protocol to prevent similar issues in the future.
Simms expressed that the department would not tolerate payroll fraud and emphasized that the employee still has the chance to prove his innocence before a final employment decision is made.
“The Detroit Fire Department will not tolerate payroll fraud in any instance,” Simms said. “The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office denied charges in this case due to insufficient evidence. The member in question maintains his innocence, and we are giving him a chance to prove that before making a final determination regarding his employment.”
Ethics and Accountability in Public Service
This case highlights the importance of accountability and ethics in public service roles, particularly when handling taxpayer funds. Time fraud can be a serious issue in public sectors, where employees are trusted to uphold integrity in their duties.
Public agencies are under increasing pressure to ensure transparency, accuracy in payroll systems, and a culture of honesty to maintain public trust.
What steps do you think the Detroit Fire Department should take to prevent future payroll fraud? Share your thoughts and opinions with us.
