Police departments nationwide are changing their tactics in response to recent shootings of officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Dallas,
The Wall Street Journal reports.
In Baton Rouge and New York City, patrol officers are now working in pairs, and in New Orleans the police department ordered that two squad cars "respond to calls so that officers have support," according to a spokeswoman.
Three officers were shot and killed Sunday in Baton Rouge and five died on July 7 in Dallas after being targeted by lone gunmen. The attacks followed a widespread backlash over several highly publicized cases of police officers shooting black men.
"In nearly 30 years of law enforcement, I have never witnessed the types of brazen attacks we are seeing against officers," Indianapolis Police Chief Troy Riggs said on Sunday in an email to officers under his command, according to the Journal.
"I think it's quite clear we are in perilous times, the country and the police profession," New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton
said on the CBS Evening News Sunday. "And the dual obligation of the police to certainly protect the public, while at the same time trying to protect themselves, that we're in uncharted waters here at this particular point in time in American policing."
"It's quite clear that in a lot of our communities — particularly in minority communities — there is not trust in American policing, there is not trust in American government for that matter, and we need to find ways to see each other, to hear each other, and to find common ground," Bratton said.
In Baltimore, the city is also stepping up efforts to protect police. Until further notice, every service call must be answered by two officers.
"The safety of our police officers is paramount to their families, our community, and me," Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis
told WBAL-TV. "Our capacity to serve relies on our commitment to keep our police officers safe as they protect our community."
"Since Ferguson, it seems like the media, in general, it feels like we've been under siege," Tom Manger, head of the Major Cities Chiefs Association,
told The Washington Post. "If a bad shooting happens, there is sweeping condemnation by pundits of all police. I think that cops are demoralized," he said.
"I know there's people who don't like the police. But the vast majority of people do appreciate what we do. I try to remind my cops, people do appreciate what you do. Few people have the heart and courage to do the job you do."
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