Dallas

Group Wants Federal Protection for Local Law Enforcement

Some police officers in North Texas are speaking out against recent violence against law enforcement officers and asking for more protection from the federal government.

A Latino law enforcement group based here in Dallas sent out a certified letter Tuesday to the US Attorney General โ€” also through social media โ€” asking Attorney General Loretta Lynch to hold a national news conference to voice support for local law enforcement and make it a federal crime to "threaten, assault, and/or murder" local law enforcement officers.

"We want hurting a police officer to be a federal crime," George Aranda, head of the National Latino Law Enforcement Organization said. "And it's important now for the attorney general to come out and make a public statement."

Aranda, a 23-year veteran of the Dallas Police Department, said 14 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in August, 10 of which were from Texas.

"When I was a kid we looked up to police officers," Aranda said. "We trusted them. They protected our neighborhoods. And now I see that the trust is gone."

Detectives suspect homicide in the death of off-duty Abilene Police Officer Don Allen Monday night. The wife and children of Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Darren Goforth continue to grieve after police said a gunman in Houston shot the Deputy execution-style 15 times while he pumped gas.

The NLLEO believes there's a clear and growing threat to police officers around the country.

"Officers, not only here in Dallas, but also throughout the nation have their guards up," Aranda said. "The time is now to make a public statement saying 'We support our police officers, and here's what we can do nationally to better protect them.'"

Aranda said he hopes to get the support of other North Texas police unions and law enforcement organizations but so far he hasn't scheduled any meetings.

The NLLEO has not heard back yet from the Department of Justice.

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