Copyright ABC News
A Detroit police office was caught during a court appearance with his pants down — literally. In a video obtained by ABC News, a Detroit police officer named Matthew Jackson is seen during a Monday court appearance via videoconference without any pants on. Jackson is seated and wearing his police uniform shirt during the virtual proceeding at the 36th District Court in Michigan, as well as what appears to be undershorts, which soon prompted the expected question from the judge. "You got some pants on, officer?" District Court Judge Sean B. Perkins asked. "No, sir," Jackson replied, and then tilted his camera up so that he was seen only from the waist up. The dress code for the court emphasizes appropriate clothing. "Casual business attire is preferred" for court appearances, according to the 36th District Court website. "Prohibited attire includes shorts (cut-offs), skorts, sleeveless shirts (tank tops), hats/caps (except those worn for cultural or religious purposes) and other clothing which is not suitable in a Court or any other professional environment." Attorney TaTaNisha Reed, who represented the defendant at the virtual hearing, said she also was surprised by the officer's sartorial choice. "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 ABC Detroit affiliate station WXYZ. “The Detroit Police Department requires its officers to represent themselves in a dignified and professional manner while attending court proceedings," Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison told WXYZ in a statement. "The involved officer's actions are not representative of the professionalism of this department and will be appropriately addressed to maintain the public confidence and efficient operation of this department. Our apologies are hereby extended to the judges and staff of the court, as well as anyone else who may have been in attendance during this incident.”
