A city in Michigan has become the first police department in the United States to include Arabic on its police patches, sparking controversy over the decision. The Dearborn Heights Police Department revealed new patches featuring the words “Dearborn Heights Police” in both English and Arabic, according to reports.

The patch, designed by Officer Ermily Murdoc, was confirmed by police as an optional uniform addition for officers. It displays the Michigan state seal alongside bilingual text. The department stated the design reflects community diversity, emphasizing its commitment to serving all residents. However, the move has drawn criticism from some locals.

Dearborn Heights, which has a 39% Middle Eastern or North African population, is part of a region with significant Muslim communities. Neighboring Dearborn, where nearly 55% of residents identify as Muslim, is the only U.S. city with a majority-Muslim population. The decision to add Arabic to police patches comes amid ongoing debates about cultural representation and local governance.

The department disabled comments on its Facebook post announcing the patch, citing concerns over inappropriate content. Meanwhile, political tensions persist in the area, as seen in recent elections where Republican candidate Donald Trump secured victories in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights despite broader Democratic trends.