An American police force has come under fire after a badge design featuring Arabic writing was posted on its Facebook, with critics warning there should be "zero tolerance" and it could set a "dangerous precedent".
Foreign policy analyst Nile Gardiner, who was once an aide to the late former Tory Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, took aim at the Dearborn Heights Police Department in Michigan after a digital mock-up appeared on its Facebook page on September 3.
Dearborn Heights' Middle Eastern or North African population was 39 per cent as of 2023.
Neighbouring Dearborn has a population of about 55 per cent.
While the photo was posted on the department's Facebook page, Mayor Bill Bazzi, recently appointed by President Donald Trump as the US Ambassador to Tunisia, posted a statement on Friday.
"On Wednesday, September 3, 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," Mr Bazzi said in the statement.
"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.“
Mayor Bill Bazzi endorsed President Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 US election
|GETTY
Mr Bazzi said that "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" in order to include as many people 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," Mr Bazzi added.
"At this time, this patch addition remains an idea and should NOT have been presented as an official prototype."
While Mr Bazzi said the badge was just an "idea", Mr Gardiner told GB News the move was "very dangerous".
Nile Gardiner told GB News the move could set a 'dangerous precedent'
| GB NEWS"The United States is united around one flag (and) one common language," he said.
"English being pushed aside by police departments or local government departments, it is a slippery slope."
Mr Gardiner said English was the official language of the United States and "always will be".
"This kind of approach being taken ... the use of non-English in official message ... it's a very destructive and dangerous development," he added.
And with many Western countries often following suit with the US, Mr Gardiner said it could set a "dangerous precedent".
"It would encourage police departments in the UK and other parts of the western world to follow suit," he said.
"It's hugely counterproductive and I think it results in divisions within society."
Mr Gardiner said it was important immigrants "assimilate" into US culture and communities, and to also speak English.
Mr Gardiner had previously posted on X, saying "there should be zero tolerance for this".
"The United States of America is an English-speaking nation, and always will be," he added.
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