Local law enforcement agencies react to Dallas police murders

UPDATE 7/8/2016 6 PM:

Local law enforcement agencies are in mourning after the Dallas massacre, which killed five officers and injured seven others. Agencies across the Central Coast have been expressing their condolences on social media. On Friday, several people spoke about the challenges they’re facing on this difficult day and in the future.

Heartbreaking, tragic, heart wrenching are some of the words Salinas Police Chief Kelly McMillin used to describe the horror of what happened in Dallas on Thursday night.

“All died protecting the rights of people to peacefully demonstrate,” McMillin said. “These officers died fulfilling the oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. So that kind of honor, that kind of sacrifice, it’s really hard to put into words.”

What he couldn’t put into words, others did. Several Salinas residents dropped off cards with words of hope. They also brought food to the officers.

Top brass at both the Salinas Police Department and the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office had to make some decisions on Friday morning on how to address the tragedy with staff and how to proceed with safety.

“Monitoring social media to see if there’s anything specific to California, to Monterey County, to Salinas,” Cmdr. John Thornburg said. “So right now, have we changed anything as far as the public would see? No.”

“The emphasis to our officers is there’s a certain amount of risk in this business, and we have to be prepared for that risk every day,” McMillin said. “So, use good common sense, good officer safety techniques, be aware and alert, and they should not have any problems. That’s the message for our guys.”

At a time when agencies are already struggling to fill positions, what has happened this week on the national stage could be a catalyst for some to avoid a law enforcement career.

“Part of the big concern is what is going to happen to me afterwards? What’s going to happen from the media? What’s going to happen with the public? What’s going to happen to my family if I’m involved in something? It’s videotaped. Everything’s going to be videotaped nowadays. All officers know that,” Thornburg said.

McMillin said it’s harder to be an officer now than it was when he began more than 30 years ago. He said there have been instances when people have become more aggressive with officers. He also said it was common for officers to be followed around and taunted by people who are recording them, hoping to catch something inappropriate. Yet, he said these challenges are a driving force for some men and women.

“I had that concern a couple of years ago. How does this national angst against law enforcement in some communities play in recruiting? And it turns out those who are committed are taking that as a challenge,” McMillin said.

ORIGINAL POST:

Law enforcement agencies across the country are mourning the loss of five Dallas police offers gunned down by a sniper Thursday. The murders happened during organized protests over the deaths of two African-American men by police officers in Minnesota and Louisiana.

On Friday, Salinas Police Chief Kelly McMillin shared his reaction with KION’s Mariana Hicks and spoke about the effects the killings could have on police morale and recruitment.

Look for her story tonight at 5 and 6 p.m..