Video: Officer Recruiting Still Strong In Spite Of Police Shootings

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Two times within the past week, law enforcement officers in our area come under fire. Luckily, in both cases, the officers were wearing their bullet proof vests, and their lives were spared.

WCBI’s Allie Martin talked to the head of the regional police training center, and two new officers, to see how they are affected by an apparent rise in violence and disrespect against police nationwide.

Everyday police officers hit the streets, protecting and serving the public, and at the same time, facing criticism and scrutiny for split second, life and death decisions.

“We’re having to take on a whole different, new direction, in law enforcement because of some of the way society is starting to look at us.”

Lieutenant Brian Brown is training director for the Tupelo Police Department. He also helps train new recruits from various agencies at the North Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Center.

While the training officers receive hasn’t changed, Lt Brown says future police officers are put into various scenarios where they have to deal with individuals who have no respect for the badge, or authority.

“I try to take those things that happen and try to get those back to the officers, because they are new, and may not have seen things like that and that’s what we try to do is recreate all that.”

Two of the newest officers on the force say their desire to make a difference, far outweighs loud , and often uninformed critics.

“It’s fortunate you can work with a bunch of guys and females that, we all believe and trust in, it’s unfortunate you can turn on the news and you have individuals saying officer should have done this, or that.”

“I knew in the beginning, this type of career, law enforcement, you’re not going to get the respect you want or think you deserve, I’m here to help people and serve my community.”

Lieutenant Brown calls that attitude, True Blue and believes a majority of people still have respect for the men and women, behind the badge. In Tupelo, I’m Allie Martin, WCBI News.

A class for new recruits starts next month at the Training Center.