Detroit Police investigating alleged sex assault involving member of 11th precinct

DETROIT (WJBK) - The Detroit Police Department is investigating an alleged sexual assault involving a member of its 11th precinct. DPD says internal affairs is investigating. 

Chief Craig said Wednesday they're investigating after a woman made the complaint, but haven't been able to interview her. Craig said the woman spoke to a supervisor and then made an anonymous phone call back in February. Authorities have tried to contact her since, via two certified letters, multiple phone calls and even a visit to her home but haven't been able to question her further. 

"She has still not agreed to talk with investigators. But we want to. We've sent two letters, it's almost like we are harassing the victim but we want to get to the truth because it's a serious allegation," Craig said.

Craig says they still are looking to interview her in regards to the criminal investigation, but, in the meantime, are continuing with an administrative investigation to see if department policies were violated. 

Craig wouldn't give the member's rank or say how long they'd been with the department. He also couldn't specify how or why the member had initial contact with the woman, when the alleged sexual assault occurred. 

The department's 11th precinct was also under scrutiny just a few months ago, when a fight broke out with the 12th precinct during a drug raid. Two officers from the 12th precinct were at the raid location in plain clothes, and the 11th precinct officers ordered them to the ground and, at one point, pointed a shotgun at the plainclothes officers. A fight then broke out inside the home. 

Also, just last month, an 11th precinct commander was suspended after he was accused of critically injuring a man while doing off-duty security work at Ottava Via on St. Patrick's Day. Timothy Leach was removing the customer from the bar, and is accused of shoving him so hard that he lost balance and hit his head on the concrete floor. The customer, Michael Karpovich, was in a coma for several days after. 

When asked Wednesday, Craig said he "refutes any notion that the 11th precinct is spiraling out of control."

He said no one wanted to prosecute in the case of the dueling precincts, but they're still moving forward with an administrative investigation. 

He said warrants have been delivered to the prosecutor's office in Leach's case, and that he's still in suspended status. Currently, Capt. Steve Walton is in charge of the 11th precinct. 

DPD's 11th precinct is on the city's northeast side. It's south of 8 Mile Road from John R Street to E Outer Drive, and stretches as far south as Carpenter and Miller streets.

Editor's Note: A member of DPD's public information office originally told FOX 2 the investigation was involving an 11th precinct police officer, but Sgt. Nicole Kirkwood later said the investigation involves a member of the 11th precinct. She nor Chief Craig would specify the member's title.