Detroit's new police chief, Jerry Oliver, recently distributed to precincts lapel pins that say "Mind'N Our Business." Complaints and confusion have ensued.
According to department spokesman Sgt. Ricardo Moore, the slogan 'Mind'N Our Business' is meant to be a positive message that Detroit's police officers are keeping their mind on the job of policing.
Others don't see it that way.
Detroit City Council President Maryann Mahaffey said the buton is grammatically incorrect and delivers the wrong message about the city. She sent a memo to Chief Oliver about the buttons. Some of her questions included:
To whom does the "our" in the slogan refer? Whose "business" are the Detroit police officers "Mind'N?" Why was money spent on buttons instead of more pressing needs in the department? Moore said the department received about 40 calls from residents concerned about the button saying the slogan is not appropriate.
Officers can choose to wear the pins or not.