St. Louis-Area Police Agree to "Rules of Engagement" with Ferguson Protesters

Following weeks of intense negotiations, the three largest police departments in St. Louis, Mo., have agreed on a dozen rules or policies they will follow as they engage with protesters after a grand jury announces its decision regarding Ferguson Officer Darren Wilson.

The negotiations have centered on 19 “Rules of Engagement ” proposed by a coalition of 50 community and civil rights groups. In general, protesters have agreed to peaceful demonstrations if police don’t interfere, while police agree to respect demonstrators’ right to assemble as long as there is no violence, the Washington Post  reports.

Negotiations on Tuesday continued to stall, however, over seven of the proposals, including the coalition’s request to give protesters 48 hours’ notice prior to the grand jury announcement.

The three departments – called the “unified command” for police response to protests -- have also not agreed to the coalition’s request that police be dressed in minimal gear and that tear gas, tactical vehicles and rubber bullets not be used, a coalition leader said.