Philadelphia Police Officers Urged To Be Vigilant After Ambush Shootings
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Recent police shootings in four different cities, in less than 24 hours, and the attacks are eerily similar to what happened in Philadelphia nearly 11 months ago.
Edward Archer ran toward Officer Jesse Hartnett's patrol car and shot him multiple times in the arm before fleeing.
"I don't know whether it's just reckless disregard for authority today, or whether it's the climate that's out there in the political scene. If we had that answer, we'd be better off hitting the lottery," said John McNesby, the president of the the Fraternal Order of Police.
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He knows all too well the dangers of the job as he prepared baskets for a holiday memorial breakfast for the families of officer killed in Philadelphia in the line of duty.
"When the officers put the uniform on every day and go out on the street, they are out there to protect the community," he said. "Yet they are a moving target for 8 hours a day right here in city of Philadelphia and throughout he country."
With Governor Tom Wolf vetoing a bill which would delay the release for 30 days of an officers' name involved in a police shooting, McNesby worries more attacks could happen.
"Look around the country. We have officers who are getting gunned down and ambushed and unfortunately killed in the line of duty and it unfortunately gives them a little and their families a little bit of a sense of security."