Detroit Police Chief Resigns
Oliver Refuses To Comment On Investigation

Detroit police Chief Jerry Oliver announced his resignation from the city's police department during a press conference Friday afternoon. The resignation was the result of weeks' worth of scrutiny over an incident on Oct. 18 in which he failed to tell airport authorities he had a gun in his luggage.

Oliver, joined by his wife, Felicia, and Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, made the following statement at Friday's press conference:

The past two weeks have been extremely difficult and painful. Whatever mistakes I've made have sparked controversy in the press and given fuel to rumors and whispers that question my integrity and my stature in this profession. All of this has cast a pall over the department, the administration and the city that we serve, and that pains me greatly. That is why I came to the mayor early today and I asked him to do something that he didn't really want to do. I asked him to allow me to step down as chief of police, effective immediately.

Oliver thanked Kilpatrick and the citizens of Detroit for the opportunity to serve the city. He also thanked the men and women of the police department for answering the call to duty.

Oliver had recently said he would not resign from his position, even if he was charged with a felony stemming from the incident at Detroit Metropolitan Airport earlier this month, Local 4 reported.

The Transportation Safety Administration found the weapon in Oliver's checked luggage, confiscated it and then turned it over to airport police, according to Local 4 reports. Oliver was paged and asked if it was his weapon, according to Local 4. He said it was and was told he needed to sign some papers.

According to reports, Oliver said he was worried about missing his flight, so he left the gun behind. He was allowed to continue on his flight to Philadelphia.

Oliver would not comment on the airport incident on Friday.

Oliver was apparently not a certified police officer in the state of Michigan, according to the station's reports. The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards told Local 4 that Oliver has applied for certification, but it has not yet been approved.

Without certification, under state law, Oliver would need a permit to carry a weapon. A spokesman for the Wayne County Gun Board told Local 4 that Oliver has never applied for a permit to carry a gun.

Oliver reportedly said he carries a small, .22-caliber automatic handgun every day. Local 4 learned that's an apparent violation of departmental regulations, which state that officers are supposed to carry at least a .38- or larger-caliber weapon.

Wayne County Prosecutor Michael Duggan said investigators will soon talk to officers traveling with Oliver and airline personnel before a decision is made on filing charges against the chief, Local 4 reported. Oliver reportedly said he will cooperate.

Federal authorities fined Oliver $300, but state charges were still pending against the now former chief, Local 4 reported.

Oliver could face additional fines and up to five years in prison if charged, according to the station's reports.

A spokesperson from the Wayne County prosecutors office told Local 4 that charges are still being considered, but there was no word on when a decision would be made.

Detroit's Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick said he'll make a decision early next week on who will replace Oliver as the acting police chief.

Previous Stories:
October 31, 2003: Oliver Says He Won't Resign
October 29, 2003: Oliver Faces Federal Fines For Gun
October 27, 2003: Detroit Chief May Face Charges For Gun In Suitcase
October 22, 2003: Report: Detroit Chief Not Authorized To Carry Gun
October 19, 2003: Detroit Police Chief's Gun Confiscated At Airport
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CHIEF OLIVER RESIGNS
See Part I Of Chief Oliver's Resignation Speech
See Part II Of Oliver's Resignation Speech
SLIDESHOW: Pictures From Oliver's Two Years As Chief
YOUR TURN: Do You Think The Chief Should Have Resigned?
DISCUSSION: How Will The Chief's Resignation Affect The City?
Read Chief Oliver's Bio