Hartford Police Describe Atmosphere After Baton Rouge Slaying

As dozens of recruits begin their journey to become part of the Hartford police force, ranking officers share the atmosphere in the department after three officers were killed on Sunday in Baton Rouge.

"After Dallas I told you cops aren't scared now. They're going to go out there and keep doing their job. And they will do their jobs. But how can you put on a uniform and drive around the city and not be worried about what's going on a national level?" said Hartford Deputy Chief Brian Foley.

After three officers were killed in Baton Rouge Sunday, Deputy Chief Foley shared what hearts are like under the badge Monday morning.

"At some point you have to look over your shoulder when you're walking around. Sometimes you get nervous and that's what were trying to work on with our cops. We don't want them to be on any additional edge," said Foley.

A sense of calm is what Foley and comrades aim for. The same vision is expected for the more than 30 recruits pouring into the station for background checks. A video on Twitter shows recruits waiting in silence as their journey to join carries out.

"They're coming in for their background test today. Another ironic time for that when there so many questions like, who would want to be a cop in this day and age? I'm sure they are extremely focused on getting through their background process and getting into this great career," said Foley.

Despite tense times for law enforcement 110 candidates have applied.

"We're not hiding anything from the recruits. They know how dangerous the job is. They watch the news.They know what's going on nationally as much or more than I do," said Foley.

While badges look different Monday.

"It's got to be in the back of their minds. It's in the front of mine. The mourning bands came off Saturday night, and it didn't have time to even to get cold. We put them right back on again," said Foley.

Foley said the career and what is expected from officers remains the same.

"It sucks right now in the environment around the country. But when you're starting off your career, your focus is getting a good job and getting out here and being able to help people. That's the look I saw on their eyes but in the back of their minds I'm sure it plays out a little bit," said Foley.

The 30 silent recruits are first of three waves of applicants getting their background check process carried out, according to Foley.

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