#Detroit police chief rips lawmakers for ignoring attacks on cops amid protests

Detroit’s police chief has ripped a group of progressive lawmakers who are demanding an investigation into alleged police brutality during protests — accusing them of giving rioters a free pass for attacking cops.

The Michigan lawmakers — led by “Squad” member, Rep. Rashida Tlaib — demanded “an immediate full, independent investigation” Tuesday into allegations of “excessive force against protesters, journalists, or legal observers” during Black Lives Matter rallies.

The group — also including state Sen. Stephanie Chang, and city council members Mary Sheffield and Raquel Castañeda-López — accused the force of ignoring complaints of brutality and having a “dismissive attitude of the movement for racial justice.”

But Detroit Police Chief James Craig fired back — accusing the lawmakers of cherry-picking allegations and ignoring attacks on cops, according to the Detroit Free Press.

“It’s unfortunate that these representatives have chosen to repeat a number of false claims in their letter without verifying the facts,” he said in a statement, the paper said.

“What really disturbs me is that when the protesters assaulted Detroit Police Officers with rocks, railroad spikes and fireworks, never once did these representatives ask for an independent investigation into their violent criminal activity,” Crag said.

Craig has previously said they are investigating about two dozen complaints against officers stemming from the protests, the Free Press said.

He insisted every complaint was investigated by the Board of Police Commissioners as well as the force’s Internal Affairs Unit. Potential criminal cases were then handed to the Wayne County Prosecutor, he said.

The lawmakers’ letter specified nine allegations of alleged “excessive force and constitutional violations” from late May until late August.

“The right to free speech is one that is fundamental to our country’s democracy and critical to ensuring that our beloved city is one where everyone is heard,” they wrote.

“Protesters and others exercising their constitutional right to speak up about police brutality and racial justice deserve the same protection others receive. No person should fear being beaten, tasered, tear gassed, shot or killed by law enforcement officers.”

Councilwoman Sheffield insisted, however, that “asking for an independent investigation does not in any way place blame on the Detroit police.”

“This request is to ensure that the #racialjustice protests incidents involving DPD are investigated in a manner which is not viewed as a conflict of interest,” she insisted on Facebook.

The face-off comes less than a week after a federal court barred Detroit officers from using batons, shields, gas, rubber bullets, chokeholds or sound cannons against peaceful protesters, the Free Press noted.

It’s a temporary restraining order as protesters sue the city for excessive use of force, the paper said.

Meanwhile, police insisted the ruling won’t change their practices — because they never use force when protests are truly peaceful.

However, Tlaib asked, “Why are police using batons, chemical weapons, and chokeholds on protestors in the first place?”