Ferguson Police Authorize Use of Riot Gear

Police agents of Ferguson, Missouri, will be able to use teargas, rubber bullets, and armored vehicles against protesters who demonstrate over the death of teenager Michael Brown.

Police and protesters are waiting the verdict of the state grand jury on whether to charge police officer Darren Wilson, who shot and killed Brown on August 9. Missouri's authorities are expecting large demonstrations after the court's ruling.

Don't Shoot Coalition, an umbrella group of 50 community and protest groups, proposed 19 rules of engagement to protect the protesters during the rallies. The police have agreed to about a dozen of the demands, but have stayed silent on the use of tear gas and riot gear.

The third point of the document said: “Crowd control equipment such as armored vehicles, riffles, rubber bullets, and tear gas will not be used.”

In response, authorities issued a statment saying: “Unified Command believes public safety should help determine the best tools to keep people safe.”

The police agreed on a few of the other requests including the “preservation of human life” and to allow the “free flow of information”.

While protesters will be able to record the police actions “unless it obstructs the activity or safety of others”, journalists and legal observers will be still be considered as general public for the police.

"The area we are most concerned about is the militarized response, and we are still waiting to hear on that," said Denise Lieberman, co-chair of the Dont's Shoot Coalition.

The death of Michael Brown sparked weeks of sometimes violent protests, and hundreds of arrests. The grand jury decision on whether to indict Wilson is imminent and police fear another wave of violence if he is not charged. Tensions in Ferguson and the St. Louis area are running high.

Hundreds of civil rights lawyers from across America are descending on Ferguson as police and protesters prepare for a grand jury decision.