A Detroit police officer has become the center of a viral storm after appearing in a virtual court hearing without wearing trousers. The embarrassing moment unfolded when the officer introduced himself on camera, inadvertently revealing he was only dressed from the waist up. The presiding judge’s startled reaction, caught on video, quickly spread across social media, prompting both amusement and official condemnation from the police department.
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Judge’s Shocked Reaction
During the virtual session, Judge Sean Perkins interrupted proceedings with the now-viral question: “You got some pants on, officer?” The officer, identified as Matthew Jackson, responded candidly, “No, sir,” before hurriedly tilting his camera upward to conceal his lower half. The hearing, which involved a woman accused of drag racing and disorderly conduct, briefly paused before continuing.
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Attorney’s Disbelief on Camera
The defense attorney, TaTaNisha Reed, who witnessed the incident live, told ABC 7 News Detroit she could hardly believe her eyes. “I was trying to figure it out. Like, am I seeing what I think I’m seeing? Especially with a police officer,” she said. The video, now circulating widely, shows a visibly stunned virtual courtroom reacting in disbelief to the unexpected wardrobe failure.
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Courtroom Maintains Composure
Despite the awkward interruption, Judge Perkins proceeded with the hearing after Jackson adjusted his camera. According to court officials, no disciplinary action was taken immediately during the session. The exchange, however, has since drawn widespread media attention and online commentary about professionalism in virtual proceedings.
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Chief Judge Responds
William McConico, chief judge of Detroit’s 36th District Court and Perkins’s superior, addressed the matter publicly. He described Officer Jackson as “a very professional police officer,” but admitted that the scene caught everyone off guard. “I spoke with Judge Perkins because I wanted to know, you know, what went through his mind with how he handled the case,” McConico told reporters. “He was stunned, obviously. He was shocked. Officer Jackson is a person he’s known.”
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Police Department Issues Apology
The Detroit Police Department quickly moved to contain the fallout. In a statement to the Detroit News, 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.” He added, “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.”
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Public Reaction and Viral Moment
Clips of the exchange have spread rapidly across social media platforms, amassing millions of views and sparking humorous commentary. While many online users mocked the officer’s lapse in judgment, others noted the incident as a reflection of lingering challenges in virtual professionalism that emerged during the pandemic-era shift to remote work and hearings.