The DOJ sent a couple of letters to the Ferguson PD, one demanding they remove “I Am Darren Wilson” bracelets, and the other ordering cops to wear readable name plates, as some officers were seen wearing unidentifiable tags or none at all.
Officer Darren Wilson shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown, who was unarmed, in August prompting widespread protests.
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And in response to civil unrest, which gained steam again after Brown’s memorial was burned to the ground on Tuesday, and the use of the slogan “I Am Mike Brown,” officers were photographed wearing the bracelets supporting the officer who killed him. The DOJ letter sent to Jackson explained that the bracelets contributed to an “us versus them” mentality and “upset and agitated” others. source
In a separate letter, the DOJ also said that officers must stop violating name tag protocol by obscuring or altogether not wearing their name tags. The practice, DOJ said, “conveys a message to community members that, through anonymity, officers may seek to act with impunity.”
