Dearborn police post new Arabic-language badge prototype—mayor says it's 'NOT' official

On Wednesday, the Dearborn Heights Police Department unveiled an "optional" patch that features both English and Arabic writing on it. After backlash, the mayor said in a statement that the patch "should NOT have been presented as an official prototype."

The patch was unveiled to social media on Wednesday, featuring "Dearborn Heights" and "Police" written in both English and Arabic. A post, which has since been deleted, stated, "The Dearborn Heights Police Department is proud to share a new optional patch that our officers may wear as part of their uniform."

"This patch was created by Officer Emily Murdoch, who designed it to reflect and honor the diversity of our community - especially the many residents of Arabic descent who call Dearborn Heights home. By incorporating Arabic script alongside English, this patch represents unity, respect, and our shared commitment to service. We are proud of Officer Murdoch's creativity and dedication in helping our department better represent the people we serve," the post stated, per Fox News. "Our officers proudly serve all members of our community, and this new design is another way we continue to celebrate the rich cultures that make our city unique."

The patch received fierce backlash on social media, with Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk writing, "Thanks to chain migration, Muslims are now a majority in Michigan's Dearborn Heights (named after a Revolutionary War general). Now, local police have rolled out the country’s first-ever police badge with Arabic script. When you get conquered, you get a new language."

"Dearborn is screwed," wrote Florida’s Voice Assistant News Director Eric Daugherty.

Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) wrote, "They said their goal was to bring sharia law to America. You should’ve believed them. Pray for Michigan."

In a Facebook post on Friday, Mayor Bill Bazzi wrote, "On Wednesday, September 3rd, information was disseminated from the Dearborn Heights Police Department regarding a digital mock-up of the DHPD patch bearing the department name translated in Arabic script. The design mock-up idea showed the words ‘Dearborn Heights Police’ in Arabic and was said to be optional. The patch effort was an internal discussion among some within the police department which was not put forth for consensus or further review."

"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. As we are one PD, each individual’s uniform represents the DHPD as a whole, and therefore merits the review and input of all."

"At this time, this patch addition remains an idea and should NOT have been presented as an official prototype," Bazzi, who was appointed by Trump as US Ambassador to Tunisia, wrote.

Per Fox 2, the population of Dearborn Heights who were Middle Eastern or North African was 39 percent as of 2023, while neighboring Dearborn was 55 percent.