DETROIT (WXYZ) — An internal affairs investigation into the near-arrest of Detroit Lions star Jameson Williams has been opened amid concerns that then-Police Chief James White was misled about a gun found under Williams’ arm.

The investigation, now in its third week, is investigating whether officers intentionally withheld information about the gun registered to Williams, who did not have a concealed handgun permit, and whether his status as an athlete influenced their decision not to arrest him.

The investigation is still pending, but the inaccuracy has already been discovered, the ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

“Primarily, the Department identified several malfunctions that occurred on the evening of the traffic stop. Any violations of DPD policy, including the actions of the relevant inspectors, will be addressed,” a department spokesperson said.

Related Video: Detroit police investigating why Detroit Lions WR Jameson Williams avoided arrest after gun found in car

Detroit police are investigating why Detroit Lions WR Jameson Williams avoided arrest after gun was found in car

“I would sincerely hope this matter is concluded very soon,” White said in an interview last Thursday, promising that the department would share its findings, whatever they may be, once the investigation is concluded.

Sources say White was repeatedly told that the only gun found was in the backseat of the vehicle driven by Williams’ brother.

But a later review of police body camera video revealed this was untrue: A second gun registered to Williams was found under the Lions’ wide receiver’s seat, and he did not have a CPL.

“This changes given that there are two weapons and one of the weapons is in the passenger’s wingspan and the weapon is registered to the passenger,” the commander said. Michael McGinnis, who led the investigation, said in an interview last month.

Related Video: Body camera video shows interaction between Detroit police officer and Williams

Video shows interaction between Detroit police officer and Lions WR Jameson Williams

Williams had been handcuffed by the officer who pulled him over and planned to take him to the Detroit Detention Center. However, after a sergeant was called to the scene and called superiors, it was decided to release Williams and return his gun.

No police report was filed and an arrest warrant was never filed with the Wayne County prosecutor’s office. Upon receiving word of the second gunshot on October 23, White ordered a search warrant requested.

Williams’ attorney, Todd Flood, said Williams’ brother has a CPL that will protect the Lions’ wide receiver weapon.

“I agree with White and McGinnis in saying we need to investigate this,” said Steve Dolunt, a former DPD assistant chief who spent 31 years with the department. “Because if (they) were deliberately misled, they have a problem with that officer, officers, supervisors, or something like that.”

Dolunt said if he had pulled Williams and his brother over that night, he would have arrested the wide receiver because his gun was found under his arm and he did not have a CPL.

“If it was Joe Blow down the street, I’d put him in jail. “I took him in,” he said.

That was the initial judgment made by the police officer at the scene, and McGinnis said it was correct.

Related Video: Body camera video shows Detroit police officer taking Jameson Williams into custody

Video shows Detroit police officer taking Jameson Williams into custody

During the stop, Williams announced that he was a member of the Detroit Lions and his brother made a call on speaker phone from the front seat.

“The head of security for the Detroit Lions is on the phone with me. Williams’ brother can be heard trying to figure out what’s going on, why you’re all trying to do this. He did not give the man’s name.

The sergeant said he did not want to talk to the Lions employee.

“It didn’t surprise me that they made the phone call. Because when I was there, people were making phone calls all the time,” Dolunt said.

“So does this work?” asked Channel 7’s Ross Jones.

“It depends,” Dolunt said. “It depends.”

It’s unclear if the phone calls tonight made any difference in how Williams was treated, but that’s one of the questions being asked by internal affairs.

“We encourage our players to immediately notify our security team if they have interactions with law enforcement,” a Lions spokesperson said in a statement. “This allows us to receive information directly from them and be able to communicate any issues with the league in a timely and appropriate manner.”

Investigators also want to know who the supervisors who were on the scene that night led to Williams’ release.

At one point, a sergeant appears to be making a phone call, then turns off his body camera while making noise as if a conversation is about to begin.

Internal Affairs wants to know who the sergeant was calling and why he turned off his body camera.

Once the IA investigation is over — perhaps as soon as this week — Kym Worthy’s office will have to decide whether to act on the arrest warrant sent late last month after White learned of the second gun.

While anything is possible, most legal experts tell 7 News Detroit they would be surprised if Worthy allows felonies.

7 Contact researcher Ross Jones: [email protected] or at (248) 827-9466.