Local Ideas to Protect law Enforcement

Summary

Five police officers and one sheriff’s deputy has been killed since Halloween in the State of Washington. Now law enforcement will present ideas on how to stop future tragedies.

Story Published: Dec 29, 2009 at 6:29 PM PST

Local Ideas to Protect law Enforcement
PASCO— Five police officers and one sheriff’s deputy has been killed since Halloween in the State of Washington.

Now law enforcement will present ideas on how to stop future tragedies. The governor will host a police summit tomorrow in Olympia.

A captain with the Pasco Police Department will be there along with union representatives speaking on behalf of other local agencies.

Pasco Police Chief Denis Austin says danger is always present on the job. But he believes not allowing bail for criminals nearing the “three strikes” mark will go a long way towards prevention.

“Officers are trying to interact with the public and trying to make sure they develop good relationships. They can't go to every call with their guns drawn,” said Chief Austin.

Chief Austin says the state's mental health resources could also be improved. He believes too many people who need psychiatric help are on the streets, posing a potential threat to police.