Law enforcement response to calls could change

LEE COUNTY, Fla.,- The recent murders of three on-duty police officers in Florida and New York is hitting close to home. WINK News sat down with a retired New York City Police Lieutenant who now lives in Southwest Florida. He tells WINK News the way law enforcement responds to calls is going to change.

Retired New York Lieutenant David Grossi says police officer deaths in Florida by gun fire is up, and, he says now more than ever, we are seeing a lack of respect for law enforcement officers. Now, these officers were killed in the line of duty and the tragedies are being felt across the country.

“The badge on their chest is nothing more than a target,” said Grossi.

Three officers, murdered, in the line of duty within a 24 hour time span. Two officers were assassinated in New York and the other in Tarpon Springs, Florida.

“There are three officers who will not be around for their kids, or their family,” Grossi told WINK News.

Retired New York Police Lieutenant David Grossi tells WINK News, the way officers around the country respond to every day calls is going to change.

“They will be responding in two car patrols or even two car units.”

Grossi says every call is an unknown high risk call.

“A noise complaint in Tarpon Springs turns out to be a murder of an officer.”

Without revealing a lot of the tactical changes, Grossi says a major part of an officers safety is dependent on this change.

“There will be more officers meeting to have lunch in multiple units instead of one.”

But response times won’t be affected.

“I think local politicians and the bean counters will have to pony of some more overtime because officers will  be working doubles,” said Grossi.

Grossi says Florida ranks fourth out of the 50 states in the number of police officers killed. WINK News checked with local law enforcement agencies Monday, several departments confirm to us they will send officers to Tarpon Springs for the officer’s funeral.