Police Officers Try to Adapt and Overcome After Recent Tragedies

Every morning, Hartford Police Officer Chris White hops into his cruiser for his shift to patrol the north end of Hartford.

The 13-year veteran makes his presence known in certain key spots where crime takes place. Through the day, he investigates loitering and public disturbance call, but he also makes it clear that there to improve life in the community.

"These are my friends!" he yelled out the window to 5-year-old Jayshawn and 6-year- old Rodney.

Then, he took a few minutes out of his day to greet them, stepping out of the car and teaching them his special handshake.

It’s a normal shift for an officer during a difficult time after police-involved shootings in Louisiana dna Minnesota as well as the ambush on law enforcement officers in Dallas.

“You have to adapt and overcome for the most part. Unfortunately, you don’t want things like that to happen but when they do you have to take it in stride and march forward. And continue to do what you do,” White said.

During a ride-along on Tuesday, NBC Connecticut asked him if he is more mindful of use of force when he out in the field and he sighed.

"That’s a great question. And that’s a great question for so many reasons because this is how we’re going to get ourselves killed. And I hate to be so blunt with that. We are now second-guessing everything,” he said. “And sometimes you don’t have a second in terms of resolving a situation.”

Situations can be scary, but no matter what happens, he said it’s his duty to protect and it’s all part of the risk that comes with wearing the blue uniform.

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