Charges sought in road rage case for Detroit officer

Birmingham — Birmingham police submitted a warrant request Monday to the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office seeking charges against an off-duty Detroit police officer arrested in an alleged road-rage incident.

Birmingham police Cmdr. Terry Kiernan said Monday prosecutors have requested additional information in the case, including the 911 tape and video footage of the traffic stop by Royal Oak police.

Prosecutors will review the information before deciding whether to issue charges, Kiernan said.

Kiernan said he expects the officer, who has not been identified, to face charges such as brandishing a firearm or felonious assault.

Prosecutors will determine the charges.

According to police, a Beverly Hills couple allege the officer's vehicle cut them off about 7 p.m. Friday on Woodward Avenue near Maple Road in Birmingham.

As the cars continued south on Woodward, Kiernan said, the incident escalated into a "road rage" incident with erratic driving by the officer, the couple allege.

The officer pulled next to the couple, lowered his window and laid his gun, a Glock 40 caliber, across his chest, Kiernan said.

The couple then called 911, he said.

"He rolls the window down, has a gun in his hand, laying across his chest. Whether it was pointed at them or not, I don't know. It will make a big difference," he said.

Once the cars crossed 14 Mile, they entered Royal Oak, where police were contacted and the officer was pulled over.

Kiernan said the officer was cooperative with investigators and no alcohol or drugs were suspected in the incident.

The weapon was confiscated and the car was impounded.

Detroit police Sgt. Michael Woody said he would not discuss the case until Birmingham police finished their investigation and sent a report.

JChambers@detroitnews.com