D.C. police officers under investigation for confiscating guns without arresting suspects

Several police officers in Washington, D.C., are under investigation for reportedly confiscating illegal guns from criminal suspects while allowing the criminals themselves to go free.

City Police Chief Robert Contee confirmed the investigation on Friday, saying it covered seven officers and supervisors within the city’s law enforcement apparatus. 

"In these cases, the suspect was not arrested, and the suspect should’ve been arrested," Contee said during a press conference late on Friday. 

"The firearm was taken and placed into evidence, however, the suspect was allowed to go free, and that’s just not the way that we conduct business in the Metropolitan Police Department," he said. 

Contee said that it was not yet clear why the officers had violated department policy in failing to arrest the suspects. 

"I wish I could tell you why. At this stage of the investigation, I don’t know why," he said on Friday.