Detroit Officer Charged For Being Intoxicated, Armed On Duty

DETROIT, MI — A Detroit police officer face more than a dozen of charges after reportedly being under the influence of alcohol and in possession of a firearm while on duty in January. Officers reportedly encountered Jerold Blanding Jan. 14 while responding to a car accident in the 12900 block of Puritan. According to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, Blanding allegedly had slurred speech and smelled of intoxicants, and had possession of three handguns.

Blending had been placed on "restricted duty" as a result of the investigation into the February 13, 2017 fatal shooting of Raynard Burton,19 of Detroit. On December 20, 2017 the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office determined that no charges would issue because Officer Blanding acted in lawful self defense, but he was no longer allowed to carry a firearm while on restricted duty.

The most recent report further accuses Blanding of resisting and obstructing the other officers as they attempted to aid the victims of the car accident on Jan. 14.

Blanding was charged with three counts of possession of firearm while under the influence, eight counts of resisting and obstructing the police and six counts of felony firearm Wednesday in the 36th District Court and given a $50,000 personal bond.

Chief James Craig said after evaluating Blanding following the 2017 fatal shooting, they determined he should only go on restricted duty instead of back full time. He doesn't believe Blanding's actions speak for the department as a whole though.

"His behavior certainly is not reflective of the men and women who serve each day," Craig said Wednesday. "This is just another stain."

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