Baltimore Officer: 'They've Become A Reactive, Not Proactive Police Force'
BALTIMORE (WJZ)--More insight from two Baltimore City police officers. They are speaking out, but concealing their identity to talk about what it's like on the streets since the death of Freddie Gray.
Mary Bubala has more.
In a candid interview with CNN, the two officers explain their take on life inside the Baltimore City police force.
"We believe that there are outside influences such as the activists that request a softer police department some citizens have asked for a softer police department. Now, you have a softer police department," said one unidentified officer.
A crime wave continues to sweep Baltimore. Homicides are up, arrests down. Officers say they've become a reactive, not proactive police force.
And they say both protestors and the head of the police force want a different tone.
"We've survived through commissioners changing the colors to be a light blue color to appeal to the public and everybody wants officer friendly," the officer said.
They also continue to defend the six officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray.
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"There is nobody who's going to jeopardize your life, your career, your families your friends for what? To throw an extra punch? Throw an extra kick? There was no physical violence involved in this"
This week, attorneys for those officers asked for State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby to recuse herself from the case because she ordered an increased police presence in the area where Freddie Gray was arrested.
The police commissioner had denied that there is a slow-down in policing on the streets of Baltimore.