DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. – Photos circulating of a newly designed Dearborn Heights police patch that includes the Arabic and English versions of the same wording pushed out by Chief Ahmed Haidar have created a wave of backlash for the police department.
With the possibility of Dearborn Heights being the first police department to initiate this change in the country, many aren’t liking the idea.
“Every officer should walk into the next city council meeting and turn in their badge,” Coral Opps said on Facebook.
In a statement on Facebook, Dearborn Heights Mayor Bill Bazzi said the renderings were leaked and should have never been released, claiming Chief Haidar didn’t have the proper approval, nor did he tell anyone he was initiating such a change.
“Should efforts like this be formally undertaken to make any changes to the Police uniform, it is our goal to include multiple PD stakeholders for a larger conversation, to ensure all are included in the discussion,” Bazzi said.
The Dearborn Heights Police Officers Association isn’t pleased with the proposed sudden change either, calling the chief’s call to release the photos a reckless decision that sparked countless threats and criticism to the department from around the country.
In a statement released by the association, it claims originally, the patch was only to commemorate Ramadan, but the police chief told everyone that they could choose to wear the patch year-round, before making news of the patch public.
Some officers believe this decision actually segregates the department.
“By engaging in actions that compromise operational safety, he has created an environment where officers face unneeded risks. Risks that could have been avoided with sound judgment,” the association said in a statement.
Chief Haidair, Mayor Bazzi, nor the Dearborn Heights Police Officers Association could be reached for comment.
Residents seem to be on the fence about the matter, posting the following on Facebook:
“I don’t understand why anyone would need clarification. It is an optional badge and simply says the same thing in two languages. For this city it makes sense and it should be easily understood.”
Melanie Couzens
“Let’s stop pretending the rollout of this badge was simply a “misstep” in communication. What happened here was reckless, careless, and politically driven."
Hass Cash