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Detroit deputy fire chief suspended for driving department SUV to Dearborn bar

Video shows city-issued SUV in parking lot of Dearborn bar

DEARBORN, Mich. – A Detroit deputy chief has been disciplined after video surfaced of his city-issued SUV parked in the parking lot of a bar.

The Detroit Fire Department said it was Deputy Chief Robert Shinske who is seen on video parking the DFD-marked SUV outside a Dearborn bar and walking inside.

Shinske has been suspended without pay for five days, sources told Local 4. Some people were expected him to get fired.

A closed disciplinary hearing was held Wednesday and ended with the suspension for Shinske. The department confirmed Shinski violated policy in the video.

Shinske parked the SUV outside a Dearborn bar just after 1:30 a.m. Saturday. He appeared to stagger as he got out of the vehicle.

A source in the Detroit Fire Department said Shinske is a 31-year member of the force and has been warned several times in the past for this type of unauthorized use of his city-owned SUV.

The warnings go back about a year and a half, sources said.

Local 4 tried to ask Shinski about his actions following Wednesday's hearing.

"You ought to be ashamed of yourself," Shinski said when asked for comment at his home about the incident.

When the hearing ended, the Firefighter's Union issued a statement that read, "The Union fully anticipated today's charge hearing would either involve a discharge or a demotion. The Union was informed at the charge hearing that Commissioner (Eric) Jones issued a brief suspension."

Jones wasn't at the meeting, and has not yet responded to phone calls to his office. Shinske didn't respond to phone calls, either.


About the Authors
Jason Colthorp headshot

Jason is Local 4’s utility infielder. In addition to anchoring the morning newscast, he often reports on a variety of stories from the tragic, like the shootings at Michigan State, to the off-beat, like great gas station food.

Derick Hutchinson headshot

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.

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