Detroit, MI — A whistleblower lawsuit filed by a retired Detroit Police Department (DPD) detective has reignited public scrutiny over the department’s handling of firearm-related arrests, particularly carrying concealed weapon (CCW) charges, which surged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The lawsuit, filed by Detective Marcellus Ball, alleges that DPD supervisors knowingly approved arrests for CCW violations even when guns were not concealed and arrestees had not physically possessed the weapons. Ball further claims that innocent passengers in vehicles were frequently charged under blanket policies.
Whistleblower Details Internal Objections
Ball, who served with the department for 35 years before retiring, claims that after raising concerns about unlawful arrests with superiors and the internal affairs division, he was retaliated against, reassigned, and ultimately forced out.
“Defendants were aware that plaintiff complained about the unlawful arrests and his efforts to make changes in the department… [and] defendants retaliated against him by removing him from his position,” reads Ball’s complaint.
(Source: Wayne County Circuit Court, Case No. 23-004282-CZ)
The suit was filed in April 2023 and remains pending.
Spike in CCW Arrests During Pandemic
An investigative report by BridgeDetroit and Outlier Media in 2021 documented a four-fold increase in CCW-only arrests by DPD starting in early 2020. Arrests jumped from approximately 256 per quarter pre-pandemic to over 1,000 per quarter after Michigan’s COVID emergency orders took effect.
“The average number of quarterly arrests for carrying a concealed weapon (CCW) rose dramatically,” reported Outlier Media.
(Source: Outlier Media, Oct. 2021)
Disproportionate Impact on Black Detroiters
The same analysis found that 32 of every 33 people charged in CCW-only cases in Detroit were Black. Legal experts have called the pattern both racially discriminatory and constitutionally suspect.
“This is not about keeping the community safe — it’s about overcharging,” said criminal defense attorney Victoria Burton-Harris, who now serves as Wayne County’s Chief Assistant Prosecutor.
(Source: Outlier Media, Oct. 2021)
Wayne County Prosecutor Dropped Cases
In response to mounting criticism, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced in late 2021 that her office would drop over 200 pending CCW cases involving first-time offenders who had legally obtained and registered their weapons but were caught in policy confusion.
“We cannot continue to criminalize individuals simply for not having their CPL (Concealed Pistol License) on them — especially when they otherwise followed the law,” Worthy said.
(Source: Detroit Free Press, Dec. 2021)
Calls for Broader Review
Civil rights attorneys and grassroots organizations have since demanded a full review of all CCW-only arrests made between 2015 and 2022 and reparations for those who may have been wrongfully charged.
Though Ball’s lawsuit is still in litigation, his claims have intensified scrutiny of a department already criticized for its use of facial recognition, aggressive enforcement, and racial disparities in prosecution.
“Detroit is not the Wild West — we have to enforce laws in a way that’s consistent with constitutional protections,” said Professor Peter Hammer, director of the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights at Wayne State University Law School.
(Source: Detroit Free Press, Feb. 2022)
Conclusion
As DPD faces renewed calls for reform and transparency, the fallout from the whistleblower suit could reshape both internal practices and public accountability.
Ball’s case is being closely watched by advocates who say it may open the door for mass expungements or even civil settlements.
Motor City News will continue to follow this case and its broader implications for criminal justice in Detroit.
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