Connecticut's urban police departments are on edge after two officers were gunned down in New York City on Saturday, and now the chief of the largest city police force in the state is calling for two cops in every cruiser on all shifts.
According to the New Haven Police Department, there are two factors behind the mandate.
"One is to provide peace of mind to the officers," said department spokesman Officer Dave Hartman. "And the other is simply a 'you can watch your back' situation."
At roll calls in Hartford, police department brass told officers to back each other up and be sure to wear their bulletproof vests.
"We're urging them to communicate to the dispatchers where they are at all times," said Deputy Chief Brian Foley, "and also know where their fellow officers are on patrol as well, should the need arise."
Foley said that recent events have done nothing to shake the department's commitment to keeping people safe.
"No matter what, at the end of the day, we're going to be loyal to our city and our citizens," said Foley. "When the bell rings, we're going to come out of the corner and we're going to go back up and keep our citizens safe."
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He said doubling up in cruisers has been part of the discussion in Hartford, but regardless, police are there for the public and they always will be.
