A Detroit police officer has gone viral after he appeared pantless during a virtual court hearing, leaving a judge and courtroom staff stunned.
Officer Matthew Jackson logged into a Zoom hearing on October 27 wearing only his official uniform shirt and boxer briefs.
Presiding over the virtual session was Judge Sean Perkins, who couldn’t help but question the officer’s lack of clothing.
“You got some pants on, sir?” he asked. “No, sir,” Jackson responded, before quickly adjusting his webcam to hide his bare legs.
The hearing proceeded without further interruption, though those present were shocked by the officer’s attire.
A cop appeared in a virtual courtroom pantsless. Credit: Ftwitty / Getty
"Am I Seeing What I Think I’m Seeing?"
Attorney TaTaNisha Reed, who was representing the defendant in the case - an individual facing charges of drag racing and disorderly conduct - said the moment caught her completely off guard.
“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 said, per WXYZ.
Reed even intervened mid-hearing to alert the judge. “I said, ‘Judge, he needs to alter his camera,’ and that’s when the judge said, ‘Oh,’” she recalled.
Why the Judge Decided To Proceed With The Session
Chief Judge William McConico of the 36th District Court said Judge Perkins was “shocked” but chose not to disrupt the hearing out of respect for Officer Jackson’s typically professional conduct.
"I spoke with Judge Perkins, because I wanted to know, you know, what went through his mind with how he handled the case," McConico said. "He was stunned, obviously. He was shocked. Officer Jackson is a person he's known."
"He wanted to stress to me that Officer Jackson is a very professional police officer, he's always been very courteous to the citizens, and that's why it was a little bit stunning," he added.
Dress Code Breach Prompts Department Response
The incident clearly violated the court’s dress code, which discourages casual or inappropriate clothing during proceedings.
According to the 36th District Court website, prohibited attire includes shorts, sleeveless shirts, hats, and other clothing deemed unfit for a professional setting.
Police and Court Officials Weigh In
Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison issued a stern statement condemning the officer’s behavior.
“The Detroit Police Department requires its officers to represent themselves in a dignified and professional manner while attending court proceedings,” Bettison said, cited by ABC News.
“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."
Bettison also extended apologies to the judges, staff, and any participants in the hearing and noted that the department would be rolling out training on virtual courtroom etiquette.