Tennessee Top Law Enforcement Leaders Applaud Hamilton Co. Highway Patrol

There’s no question that law enforcement officers in this country are in more danger than ever.

Recent shootings directed at cops have caused departments from small towns to federal agencies to take steps to protect the men and women who protect us.

Chattanooga officers Tuesday met with officials from Homeland Security and the Tennessee Highway Patrol

VOICE OF COMMISSIONER BILL GIBBONS  “Obviously under the current circumstance when a trooper gets out of a car …or for that matter a Chattanooga police officer…or a Hamilton county deputy sheriff…there’s a little apprehension because of that atmosphere out there.”

The first priority for all law enforcement officers is to protect the people.

Now, there’s a second consideration–how to do that while keeping eyes open for the ever-increasing danger of threats to the officers themselves.

Department of Homeland Security commissioner Bill Gibbons was in Chattanooga to talk about that, with with the chief of the Tennessee highway patrol.

COL. TRACY TROTT, TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL  “We understand that law enforcement can be a target now….it hasn’t happened to the highway patrol yet but that doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen. You know the incident in Bristol with the gunman shot at a Bristol police officer and a paper carrier .”

The officers on patrol are reminded that even though they may not agree with people they meet, its still their job to keep them safe, above all.

COMMISSIONER BILL GIBBONS, DEPT. OF SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY  “There’s polling out there..that the vast majority of the public is very supportive of laws enforcement, but at the same time we have some anti-law enforcement rhetoric out there and unfortunately some people act on that rhetoric.”

COL TRACY TROTT  “We want our people to be prepared…we want them to be not complacent in their work. We want them to be prepared to react to any emergency and to be prepared to survive any encounter and live to go home at night.”

There was a bright spot in the discussion held with local officers..they’re doing a great job with traffic safety.

Accidents in out district are down 15%, and up everywhere else across the state.

BILL GIBBONS, COMMISSIONER, DEPT. OF SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY  ” The Chattanooga district is leading the state in the reduction of traffic fatalities at this point.”