A recent uptick in violence surrounding police is sparking discussions on officer safety.
This month alone, Maine sheriff's deputy Eugene Cole was shot and killed early Wednesday morning in the line of duty. In Massachusetts, Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon suffered the same fate while serving a warrant on April 12. And Thursday night, Michael Walsh was shot after allegedly firing at officers responding to a domestic violence call in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Captain Greg Gallant has worked for the Methuen Police Department more than 10 years.
"I got injured about 15 years ago and I broke both my ankles and both my heels, and was in a wheelchair for four or five months," he said.
Gallant says the job is no more violent than before, but mental health, the opioid epidemic and easier access to firearms have left police in questionable places.
"Every call is different," he said. "You never know what you're going to get when you get there. Always remain vigilant, always remain tactically minded, always be strategic in your thinking."
While officers aren't under more stress, in Gallant's opinion, he does think officer safety will improve as their relationship with the public continues to do so.
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"We are just people. We are people who live in the city, we send our kids to the schools, we pay taxes," Gallant said. "I think sometimes, that gets lost in the communication. People see us as just a uniform or a badge."
