The decision by Ferguson, Mo., police not to release the name of the officer who shot and killed unarmed teenager Michael Brown has been criticized by the attorney for the Brown family.
Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson had previously said the officer's name would be released by noon on Tuesday.
Attorney for the Brown family, Benjamin Crump, told BuzzFeed that the decision is "unfortunate because people want transparency."
"They want the confidence that police are going to deal with the situation."
St. Louis Fox affiliate KTVI reported that the decision to delay releasing the officer's name is for safety reasons after officers were attacked Monday night.
NBC affiliate KDSK reported that police are delaying the release of the officer's name because of threats made on social media.
The practice of naming officers involved in shootings varies from agency to agency around the country. In California, the state Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that law enforcement agencies must name officers who shoot civilians in the line of duty unless there is a threat to the individual officer's safety.
Even before the ruling, which was opposed by local police unions, the Los Angeles Police Department as a matter of practice named officers. In other departments, officers' names were withheld pending the completion of an investigation into the shooting, which in some cases took up to a year.
According to local media reports, Chief Jackson says he will not release the officer's name unless he is forced to do so.
Ferguson police won't release name of cop until chief says he's forced to
#ferguson police chief says he won't release name of officer until he has to. Either official charges or directed by judge. Says for safety
#ferguson police chief says there's an officers name being put on social media identifying him as the man that shot #MikeBrown. Wrong person
Protesters took to the streets in Ferguson on Monday for a second straight night, clashing with police who reportedly fired tear gas and rubber bullets on the demonstrators.
Claudia Koerner contributed reporting.