The Los Angeles Police Department is preparing for possible civil unrest, as a grand jury in Missouri decides whether to indict police officer Darren Wilson for the August shooting death of Michael Brown.
Law enforcement sources tell the NBC 4 I-Team, the Department has been mandated to wear uniforms until further notice. The order signals a significant event is about to happen.
The inter-departmental memo states, in part, "Please ensure all personnel, except Vice and Gang Enforcement Detail, are in uniforms."
In addition, undercover officers, who ordinarily work in plain-clothes, are being required to have their uniforms ready in the event crowd control is suddenly needed.
The I-Team has also learned several demonstrations are already being planned in Los Angeles, even though the Missouri grand jury’s decision is still unknown. Police are monitoring cyberspace chatter and social media sites, detailing protest plans for the Southland.
"If he walks, we are calling for America to be brought to a halt," said Keith James with the Stop Mass Incarceration Network. "The day of the decision be at Martin Luther King and Crenshaw at 3pm."
LAPD Chief Charlie Beck confirmed they are preparing for whatever demonstrations may occur, but will not preempt them.
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"We will facilitate lawful demonstrations just as we always do," said Chief Beck, "we will not, cannot, condone violence and vandalism."
