Detroit Police Officer Appears in Virtual Court Wearing No Pants, Prompting Judge's Surprise and Department Apology

A Michigan judge was visibly surprised during a virtual court proceeding when a Detroit police officer appeared on the Zoom call wearing only underwear below the waist. According to Detroit News, Officer Matthew Jackson participated in the October 27 hearing while dressed in his uniform shirt and badge but without pants, creating an awkward moment that has since gone viral online.

The incident occurred in the 36th District Court during proceedings for a woman facing charges of reckless driving and public intoxication. In the recorded video, Judge Sean Perkins appeared momentarily flustered before directly asking, "You got some pants on, officer?" Jackson candidly replied, "No, sir," and quickly adjusted his phone to conceal his lower body from view.

A lawyer also present during the virtual hearing displayed visible confusion as the unexpected situation unfolded. Despite the unusual circumstances, Judge Perkins opted to continue with the case without further addressing the officer's inappropriate attire.

Following the incident, the Detroit Police Department issued a formal apology, stating they are investigating the matter and will remind all officers about proper courtroom etiquette and dress code expectations.

In an official statement, Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison said: "The Detroit Police Department requires its officers to represent themselves in a dignified and professional manner while attending court proceedings. 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."

A colleague from the 36th District Court later spoke with Judge Perkins about the situation, expressing astonishment at the behavior. Judge Perkins reportedly mentioned that he personally knows Officer Jackson and typically considers him a professional and respectful officer, which influenced his decision to proceed with the hearing without interruption.

According to the court's published guidelines, the dress code explicitly requires "casual business attire" and specifically prohibits shorts, sleeveless tops, hats (except for religious or cultural purposes), and any clothing deemed inappropriate for a professional courtroom environment.