The wave of assaults and ambushes on the nation’s police have prompted the country’s top sheriff to declare that there is a “war” on cops fed by political rhetoric.
Reacting late Sunday to the Baton Rouge, La., killings of three police Sunday, following the recent slayings of five Dallas police, the head of the National Sheriffs’ Association urged the country to unite to stop the shootings.
“The war on law enforcement officers must stop,” said Sheriff Greg Champagne of St. Charles Parish, La.
Statement from NSA Pres. Sheriff Champagne/@SCPSheriff: “The war on law enforcement officers must stop.” #BatonRouge pic.twitter.com/fld1KgPMEB
— National Sheriffs’ Association (@NationalSheriff) July 18, 2016
Without pointing fingers at President Obama or the groups protesting police, Champagne singled out the words leaders have used to inflame the attacks on police.
In his message posted on Twitter, Champagne wrote:
“All of us must send the message loud and clear that inflammatory anti-police rhetoric has no place in this country. We are a country of laws, not perceived vigilantism. Words matter and can provoke some to needless violence against those who serve and protect. Regretfully, certain politicians and national figures are hopefully seeing the effects that their improvident rush to judgment can have upon some people in our society.”
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
