Police Chief David Dicks, who took over the department on an interim basis in June, said wearing pants that expose undergarments or bare bottoms constitutes indecent exposure and will result in the wearer's arrest, the Lansing (Mich.) State Journal reported Wednesday.

"Some people call it a fad," Dicks told the Detroit Free Press. "But I believe it's a national nuisance. It is indecent and thus it is indecent exposure, which has been on the books for years."

Dicks issued a departmental memorandum June 27 that stated: "This immoral self expression goes beyond freedom of expression."

The chief said violations could yield the wearers of the bottom-baring pants jail sentences of 93 days and/or fines reaching $500.

However, Dicks said Tuesday that the department has yet to make a saggy pants arrest.

"We want to put the word out before we take aggressive action," he said.

The American Civil Liberties Union said it is observing the matter closely.