The Dearborn Heights Police Department in Michigan is under fire after it unveiled an optional uniform patch featuring Arabic alongside English, marking the first U.S. police patch to incorporate the language.
The design also includes the state seal and allows officers to decide whether to wear it, reflecting the city’s sizable Arabic-speaking population.
Officer Emily Murdoch, who designed the patch, said it was intended to honor the city’s cultural diversity.
Department officials described the initiative as promoting “unity, respect, and shared commitment to service,” emphasizing that the optional nature ensures officers maintain flexibility while recognizing the community’s heritage.
The patch spells out “DEARBORN HEIGHTS” and “POLICE” in both English and Arabic. Officers may adopt the new design or continue wearing the traditional uniform.
The department emphasized that participation is voluntary and intended to respect individual choice while acknowledging cultural representation.
In anticipation of criticism, officials restricted public comments on social media, and the backlash became so severe that the department ultimately removed the Facebook post, Resist the Mainstream can confirm.
Dearborn Heights borders Dearborn, which has a larger Arab-American population and has previously drawn national attention for political activism and statements seen as anti-Israel.
City leaders say sensitivity and inclusivity