Muslim patch on police uniforms in Dearborn Michigan
Executive summary
Dearborn Heights briefly posted and then pulled an optional police uniform patch that added Arabic script reading “Dearborn Heights Police,” a design said to honor the city’s large Arab and Middle Eastern community and initially described as a Ramadan commemorative idea; the mayor later said the image “should not have been presented as an official prototype” [1] [2]. The post sparked national backlash, internal police association criticism calling the release “reckless,” and claims on the right that the patch represented Islamization—claims both local officials and some historians dispute [3] [2] [4].
1. What happened, in plain terms
Dearborn Heights police shared a mock‑up of an optional patch that displayed the Michigan seal encircled by “Dearborn Heights Police” in English and Arabic; the Facebook post was deleted after public outcry and Mayor Bill Bazzi said the design was intended for internal discussion and “should not have been presented as an official prototype” [5] [2]. Department statements say the patch was optional and meant to celebrate the city’s diversity, and the design was credited to Officer Emily Murdoch [5] [6].
2. Who said what — competing perspectives
City leaders and the department framed the patch as a diversity gesture honoring residents of Arabic descent — about 39% of Dearborn Heights according to recent reporting — and as optional for officers [1] [5]. The Dearborn Heights Police Officers Association and Supervisors Association criticized the chief’s public release of the renderings as “reckless,” saying it wasn’t properly vetted and that the original intent was a Ramadan commemorative patch [2] [1]. Conservative outlets and commentators amplified claims that the patch evidenced Islamization or political motives; some narratives on the right went further, alleging ties to broader conspiracies [7] [8] [9].
3. What the patch actually said and why that matters
Multiple reporters and historians noted there was “absolutely nothing related to Islam” in the patch’s wording — it simply translates the department name into Arabic — which supporters point to as a standard multilingual civic accommodation rather than a religious statement [4]. The department framed the design as reflecting and honoring the diversity of the community rather than promoting a religion [6].
4. Local context: demographics and history
Dearborn Heights and neighboring Dearborn have long‑established Arab American communities; reporting cites roughly 39% of Dearborn Heights residents identifying as Middle Eastern or North African, a demographic context officials invoked to explain why Arabic script might appear on civic materials [1] [10]. That local context is central to understanding why some civic actors proposed an Arabic translation rather than viewing it as an external imposition [5].
5. The backlash and its character
The post drew national attention and intense online reaction, including threats and criticism that police associations say were provoked by the unvetted release; elected officials and commentators amplified the story on social platforms, sometimes framing it as evidence of “Islamization” or politicized identity signaling [3] [7]. Local unions called the chief’s disclosure reckless for sparking those responses [3] [2].
6. How officials responded and what was paused
Mayor Bazzi publicly walked back the release, saying it “should not have been presented as an official prototype” and that broader stakeholder input was required; the department removed the Facebook post and the proposed optional patch was effectively paused while officials addressed concerns [2] [11]. The chief’s announcement and the department’s initial social post were the immediate triggers for the reversal [6].
7. Misinformation and escalations to watch
Right‑wing blogs and opinion sites recycled and amplified the story with additional claims not present in mainstream local reporting, including assertions about religious takeover and conspiratorial connections to foreign movements; those claims go beyond what local news coverage documents and therefore represent an escalation of the controversy [7] [8]. Available sources do not mention evidence that the patch was tied to any religious law or external organization beyond the department’s stated intent [4] [6].
8. Takeaway and what to expect next
This episode illustrates how a localized, optional design choice in a diverse municipality can rapidly become a national culture‑war flashpoint when shared without coordinated messaging; officials have paused the rollout and face pressure from both community advocates who see inclusion and critics who see political symbolism [2] [3]. Watch for formal policy or approval process changes from the city or police department and for follow‑up reporting clarifying whether the optional patch will be reintroduced after stakeholder consultation [10] [1].
Limitations: reporting in the supplied sources focuses on the September 2025 incident and reactions; available sources do not mention exactly what internal approval steps the department ordinarily follows nor whether any officers ultimately chose to wear the patch after the pause [2] [1].