DETROIT (WXYZ) — A Detroit police officer recently charged with brandishing a firearm and driving while intoxicated has faced repeated disciplinary action from the department and was recently named one of of its most high-risk agents.
Kory Dombrowski was arrested shortly after midnight on Nov. 18 after his girlfriend called 911. Dombrowski was intoxicated, carrying multiple firearms and wearing a body armor, according to state police. Michigan.
But last week’s arrest was not Dombrowski’s first instance of alleged misconduct. Records obtained by 7 Action News show he was a problem officer for most of his short career.
Since joining the force in 2016, he has faced at least seven disciplinary cases. On several occasions Dombrowski has been found to have used profane language towards citizens while on duty, much of it taken on his body camera.
A slew of incidents in 2020 earned him a 12-day suspension, including two instances where Dombrowksi posted images on social media that included the n-word.
In another incident, Dombrowksi was recorded using a homophobic slur.
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His commanding officer wrote, “(C)his officer seems to have a propensity for using profane language directed at and around citizens…needs some kind of sensitivity training to save him from himself.”
But the problems did not stop.
Twice the following year, Dombrowski was found guilty of using unnecessary force. In one incident, he was convicted of kicking a citizen who wouldn’t let go of a steering wheel, and the following week he was convicted of pushing another citizen.
Dombrowski was hit with 5- and 16-day suspensions, but both were on appeal.
Two months later, Dombrowski was found to be using more derogatory language against a citizen, throwing a bevy of demeaning names at one, then pointing his taser at his face and threatening to “taser the (expletive) out of you”.
This time, a 23-day suspension was handed down, but is also listed as being appealed.
“Why is he still an officer?” asked Detroit Police Commissioner Ricardo Moore. “That’s the first thing that comes to mind. Why is this person still an officer?
Earlier this year, in response to a series of 7 Action News investigations into agent misconduct, DPD released a list of its most at-risk agents. Dombrowski was in 20th place.
Although his arrest is the latest to tarnish the department, Moore fears it won’t be the last.
“It’s happening too fast and too furiously,” he said of the arrests of officers. “A lot of officers are doing things they shouldn’t be doing, and we need to learn more about why.”
In a statement, DPD said Dombrowski would remain suspended until his criminal case is completed.
Contact Investigator 7 Ross Jones at ross.jones@wxyz.com or (248) 827-9466.
