WARREN, Mich. – Warren police said they’re going to get to the bottom of the hazing allegations at De La Salle High School, and they plan to interview every member of the football team as part of the investigation.
UPDATE: Police complete investigation, to recommend charges against 3 students
Warren police Commissioner Bill Dwyer told Local 4 the interviews began over the weekend. They expected to do 40 to 80 interviews before the investigation is over, but there is an issue -- some parents aren’t allowing their children to be interviewed by police.
The investigation continues less than a week after the school forfeited its football season over hazing allegations.
“I’ve assigned five investigators to the case -- one sergeant, four detectives,” Dwyer said.
Dwyer said the investigators are first focusing on the De La Salle football team.
“They’re going to be interviewing all of the players of the football team, including coaches and administrators over at De La Salle,” Dwyer said.
Some students were interviewed with their parents present.
“De La Salle president, vice president and the staff are all fully cooperating with the investigation,” Dwyer said.
Meanwhile, parents said there’s been a noticeable shift in the mood at the high school.
“There’s definitely an aura, and everybody’s kind of down,” parent Jennifer Wright said. “I hope that that changes.”
Wright’s son is a sophomore at De La Salle.
“Of course you feel for the victim,” Wright said. “I think that they are doing the proper channels and I think they are handling it appropriately -- at least, I hope they are.”
The hazing allegations already cost the football team its playoff game and abruptly ended its season. But officials said the investigation is far from over.