NM law enforcement concerned with growing trend in suspects shooting at officers - KOAT New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —
Local and state enforcement is noticing a growing trend of people shooting at officers.
There was an APD officer involved shooting on Wednesday, in which the suspected allegedly shot back at officers. The deputy chief said that was the department's fifth officer involved shooting of the year and several of them have involved people shooting at officers.
“We do notice an increase in people that are willing to not only flee from law enforcement, but flee with violence and attempt to murder our police officers,” said APD Deputy Chief Michael Smathers.
Smathers addressed the deadly officer involved shooting on Wednesday, saying the suspect who allegedly shot at officers after a carjacking had a violent criminal past, which included an armed robbery. Smathers said the problem is keeping suspects in custody and it's affecting officers.
“No one wants that call that an officer has been involved in a shooting,” Smathers said. “We do see an impact the resiliency — we see it impact morale. We see an impact people's willingness to stay in this profession because it's understandable and it's fair that they're concerned and it's very impactful on their families.”
Chief Tim Johnson is also noticing the trend within NMSP. In February, a New Mexico State police officer was shot and injured after responding to a call at an Edgewood gas station.
“After that, the shooting that we had, I was very frustrated that night,” Johnson said. “We've read that book before. I could tell you what his criminal history was before we were even able to say who he was or get him identified.”
Smathers said in response he would like to see more support from the community when it comes to criminal justice reform.
If they feel the way we feel about a violent offender being kept in custody while they await trial, communicate that you're a member of this community, you're a voter in this community, you're a stakeholder in this community.
According to the FBI, 73 officers nationwide were killed in the line of duty last year, the highest annual number since the 9/11 attacks.
source: https://www.koat.com/article/suspects-shootings-officers-albuquerque-trend/39679245
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