Eric Holder issues new police guidelines in anticipation of Ferguson decision
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Attorney General Eric Holder has issued new guidelines for law enforcement policing protests in anticipation of a grand jury's announcement in the Micheal Brown shooting. And city officials have announced that public schools in Ferguson would be closed Monday and Tuesday in anticipation of a decision over the weekend.
"As we've seen, durable relationships between the police and their communities do not develop overnight," the nation's top-ranking law enforcement offical said in a video statement released Friday.
"The Justice Department encourages law enforcement officials, in every jurisdiction, to work with the communities they serve to minimize needless confrontation. It is vital to engage in planning and preparation, from evaluating protocols and training to choosing the appropriate equipment and uniforms. This is the hard work that is necessary to preserve the peace and maintain the public trust at all times -- particularly in moments of heightened community tension."
Holder's message comes the day after at least three people were arrested in Ferguson during a Thursday night protest that temporarily blocked traffic.
According to St. Louis Today, at about 9 p.m. police responded to calls of protesters in the streets. Responding officers say they gave the 30 to 40 demonstrators an opportunity to return to the sidewalk. When the crowd refused, officers ordered them to disperse and arrested some of those who did not comply.
On Friday afternoon, city officials announced the school closings.
"With the heightened anxiety and activity, we thought it would be better for students and staff to extend the holiday at this point," Superintendent Tiffany Anderson told The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Anderson said the decision to close schools was made as much for the students' safety as it was for peace of mind of local parents.
"For adults, there's as great -- if not greater -- anxiety. They're thinking a lot about how to support kids, how to make sure everything is in place."
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Eric Holder issues new police guidelines in anticipation of Ferguson decision