Police officers in riot gear gathered alongside a St Louis boulevard late on Sunday night, chanting whose street, our street, a common refrain used by those protesting against the acquittal of a white former officer over the death of a black man, after successfully clearing the street of demonstrators and onlookers.
At a news conference early on Monday, interim police chief Lawrence OToole said police had seized at least five weapons and said he was proud to tell you the city of St Louis is safe and the police owned tonight.
Were in control, he said. This is our city and were going to protect it.
The chant drew criticism, however, from protesters, activists and some police officers. In a statement, Sgt Heather King, president of the Ethical Order of Police, a group founded by African American officers, said: That chant goes against the very code of ethics we swore to abide by.
Whether we agree with demonstrations, protests or acts of violence, it is our job to do our job free of personal bias.
On Twitter on Monday, the group said: We are human and we will make mistakes. We are also people who have the last word, which can be arrest, freedom, or death. No need 2 chant.