United States President Donald Trump has downplayed police violence against Black people, citing “more white people” are killed by police officers.

“And so are white people, so are white people. What a terrible question to ask. So are white people. More white people, by the way. More white people,” Trump said in response to a question during an interview with CBS News. The question was apparently about the number of Black people killed at the hands of US police.

Police violence against African Americans has been at the centre of attention in the United States since May 25 when a Minneapolis police officer knelt on George Floyd's, a Black man, neck for nearly nine minutes. Floyd’s death sparked protests across the United States and the world.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-black-lives-matter-is-a-symbol-of-hate-310187">Also read |&nbsp;Trump says Black Lives Matter is a 'symbol of hate'</a>

According to a Washington Post analysis updated on Monday, half of the people shot and killed by US police are white, but Black Americans are shot at a disproportionate rate. They account for less than 13 per cent of the US population but are killed by police at more than twice the rate of white Americans, the newspaper analysis found.

The recent social unrest also raised new questions about the continued flying of the Confederate battle flag in some areas of the country and whether statues honouring Confederate leaders during the US Civil War should be removed from high-profile public places.

To this end, Trump responded: “I know people that like the Confederate flag and they’re not thinking about slavery.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-lashes-out-at-new-york-mayor-black-lives-matter-leader-308850">Also read |&nbsp;Trump lashes out at New York mayor, Black Lives Matter leader</a>

United States President Donald Trump has downplayed police violence against Black people, citing “more white people” are killed by police officers. “And so are white people, so are white people.

United States President Donald Trump has downplayed police violence against Black people, citing “more white people” are killed by police officers. “And so are white people, so are white people. What a terrible question to ask. So are white people. More white people, by the way. More white people,” Trump said in response to a question during an interview with CBS News. The question was apparently about the number of Black people killed at the hands of US police. Police violence against African Americans has been at the centre of attention in the United States since May 25 when a Minneapolis police officer knelt on George Floyd's, a Black man, neck for nearly nine minutes. Floyd’s death sparked protests across the United States and the world. Also read | Trump says Black Lives Matter is a 'symbol of hate' According to a Washington Post analysis updated on Monday, half of the people shot and killed by US police are white, but Black Americans are shot at a disproportionate rate. They account for less than 13 per cent of the US population but are killed by police at more than twice the rate of white Americans, the newspaper analysis found. The recent social unrest also raised new questions about the continued flying of the Confederate battle flag in some areas of the country and whether statues honouring Confederate leaders during the US Civil War should be removed from high-profile public places. To this end, Trump responded: “I know people that like the Confederate flag and they’re not thinking about slavery.” Also read | Trump lashes out at New York mayor, Black Lives Matter leader

Trump says 'more white people' than Blacks are killed by US police

Oklahoma City Police Department release May 20, 2019 footage of a black man's arrest. The newly released body camera footage shows a suspect saying “I can’t breathe” before he died at a hospital. Watch report.

US police release footage of Scott's arrest | Black man arrest in 2019

A man opened fire n Cuban embassy in the United States on Thursday. No injury has been reported so far.

According to local media reports, police has arrested the suspected shooter. Alexander Alazo, 42, was "shooting toward a foreign embassy on the block," as per the initial investigation.&nbsp;

He has been now charged with assault with intent to kill.

Officers arrived at the scene at around 2 am (0600 GMT), where they found the suspect with an assault-style rifle, the MPD said.

"One individual was arrested for being in possession of an unregistered firearm as well as unregistered ammunition, assault with the intent to kill, and possession of a high capacity feed device," a Secret Service spokeswoman said in a statement.

It was not immediately clear what motivated the shooting.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla wrote in a post on Twitter that the embassy had been "the target of an armed attack," adding that countries bear the responsibility to protect diplomats and their facilities.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cuba?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cuba</a>'s embassy in US was the target of armed attack by unidentified individual. 
 
Mission staff was not injured and is safe. Investigation is in progress. 
 
It is the responsibility of States to protect diplomats accredited to them and their facilities.
— Bruno Rodríguez P (@BrunoRguezP) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrunoRguezP/status/1255844586288746498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The embassy, located on 16th Street at the edge of the Adams Morgan neighbourhood, a normally bustling area full of bars and restaurants but which has been stilled by the coronavirus shutdown.

The administration of President Donald Trump has chilled relations with Havana, reversing course after an opening initiated by his predecessor Barack Obama.

In October 2017, it expelled 15 Cuban diplomats after a rash of incidents in which US embassy staff in Cuba reported as yet unexplained head pains, dizziness and hearing loss. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

A man opened fire n Cuban embassy in the United States on Thursday. No injury has been reported so far. According to local media reports, police has arrested the suspected shooter.

A man opened fire n Cuban embassy in the United States on Thursday. No injury has been reported so far. According to local media reports, police has arrested the suspected shooter. Alexander Alazo, 42, was "shooting toward a foreign embassy on the block," as per the initial investigation. He has been now charged with assault with intent to kill. Officers arrived at the scene at around 2 am (0600 GMT), where they found the suspect with an assault-style rifle, the MPD said. "One individual was arrested for being in possession of an unregistered firearm as well as unregistered ammunition, assault with the intent to kill, and possession of a high capacity feed device," a Secret Service spokeswoman said in a statement. It was not immediately clear what motivated the shooting. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla wrote in a post on Twitter that the embassy had been "the target of an armed attack," adding that countries bear the responsibility to protect diplomats and their facilities. #Cuba's embassy in US was the target of armed attack by unidentified individual. Mission staff was not injured and is safe. Investigation is in progress. It is the responsibility of States to protect diplomats accredited to them and their facilities. — Bruno Rodríguez P (@BrunoRguezP) April 30, 2020 × The embassy, located on 16th Street at the edge of the Adams Morgan neighbourhood, a normally bustling area full of bars and restaurants but which has been stilled by the coronavirus shutdown. The administration of President Donald Trump has chilled relations with Havana, reversing course after an opening initiated by his predecessor Barack Obama. In October 2017, it expelled 15 Cuban diplomats after a rash of incidents in which US embassy staff in Cuba reported as yet unexplained head pains, dizziness and hearing loss. (With inputs from agencies)

Man arrested for shooting outside Cuba's US embassy, no injuries

British police arrested a fifth teenager on Saturday following a homophobic attack on a lesbian couple who refused to kiss for a gang of youths on a London night bus.

Melania Geymonat, 28, said she and her girlfriend Chris were robbed and left covered in blood after the incident on a bus in the north of the British capital last week.

London's Metropolitan Police on Friday arrested four teens aged between 15 and 18 on suspicion of involvement in what a senior officer called the "disgusting attack".

On Saturday officers picked up another 16-year-old male on suspicion of robbery.

All of those detained remain in custody at London police stations, according to the Met.

"They surrounded us and started saying really aggressive stuff, things about sexual positions, lesbians and claiming we could kiss so they could watch us," Geymonat told the BBC on Friday.

"They started throwing coins. The next thing I know Chris is in the middle of the bus and they are punching her," she said.

"So I immediately went there by impulse and tried to pull her out of there and they started punching me. I was really bleeding."

Police said the incident happened in the early hours of May 30 after the two women got on the bus in north London headed to the Camden Town neighbourhood.

The women were punched several times before the males ran off the bus after also stealing a phone and bag, the Met added.

Both women were taken to hospital for treatment to facial injuries.

"This was a disgusting attack on two women," said Detective Superintendent Andy Cox.&nbsp;

"CCTV footage from the attack is being reviewed by detectives.&nbsp;

"We continue to appeal for information from the public," he added.

Geymonat is from Uruguay while British newspapers reported that her girlfriend is from the US.

The told the BBC she has previously experienced "a lot of verbal violence" but had never been assaulted before because of her sexuality.

"I was and still am angry," she said.&nbsp;

"It was scary, but this is not a novel situation."

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday condemned the incident.

"This was a sickening attack and my thoughts are with the couple affected," she said.

"Nobody should ever have to hide who they are or who they love and we must work together to eradicate unacceptable violence towards the LGBT community." 
&nbsp;

British police arrested a fifth teenager on Saturday following a homophobic attack on a lesbian couple who refused to kiss for a gang of youths on a London night bus.

British police arrested a fifth teenager on Saturday following a homophobic attack on a lesbian couple who refused to kiss for a gang of youths on a London night bus. Melania Geymonat, 28, said she and her girlfriend Chris were robbed and left covered in blood after the incident on a bus in the north of the British capital last week. London's Metropolitan Police on Friday arrested four teens aged between 15 and 18 on suspicion of involvement in what a senior officer called the "disgusting attack". On Saturday officers picked up another 16-year-old male on suspicion of robbery. All of those detained remain in custody at London police stations, according to the Met. "They surrounded us and started saying really aggressive stuff, things about sexual positions, lesbians and claiming we could kiss so they could watch us," Geymonat told the BBC on Friday. "They started throwing coins. The next thing I know Chris is in the middle of the bus and they are punching her," she said. "So I immediately went there by impulse and tried to pull her out of there and they started punching me. I was really bleeding." Police said the incident happened in the early hours of May 30 after the two women got on the bus in north London headed to the Camden Town neighbourhood. The women were punched several times before the males ran off the bus after also stealing a phone and bag, the Met added. Both women were taken to hospital for treatment to facial injuries. "This was a disgusting attack on two women," said Detective Superintendent Andy Cox. "CCTV footage from the attack is being reviewed by detectives. "We continue to appeal for information from the public," he added. Geymonat is from Uruguay while British newspapers reported that her girlfriend is from the US. The told the BBC she has previously experienced "a lot of verbal violence" but had never been assaulted before because of her sexuality. "I was and still am angry," she said. "It was scary, but this is not a novel situation." British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday condemned the incident. "This was a sickening attack and my thoughts are with the couple affected," she said. "Nobody should ever have to hide who they are or who they love and we must work together to eradicate unacceptable violence towards the LGBT community."

UK police make fifth teen arrest after bus attack on lesbian couple

US police Monday launched a bid to evict Americans who have been occupying the Venezuelan embassy in Washington for weeks in protest against opposition leader Juan Guaido.

The administration of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-says-ship-seizure-by-us-violates-spirit-of-trump-kim-summit-218542">President Donald Trump </a>and some 50 other countries recognize Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate acting leader as he tries to force the departure of President Nicolas Maduro amid an acute economic meltdown.&nbsp;

Police with flashlights approached the Washington embassy compound Monday night, removed chains attached to its gates by the pro-Maduro activists, and spoke briefly to those insides.&nbsp;

The activists -- who are seeking to bar the entry of Guaido's representatives -- were "offered the chance to leave voluntarily," according to Rafael Alfonso, a member of Guaido's delegation in the US.

Three left, and the estimated four who remain inside were given notice that they "have to leave the building," Alfonso told AFP.

But the standoff continued as, after five minutes, the remaining activists returned to the second floor, where they raised their fists in a gesture of victory through the window. Police then left the gate and re-sealed it with tape.

The activists "are defending international law, defending the Vienna Convention and they are worried about the cascade effect," said Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, an attorney representing them with the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund. "That is a very dangerous path.''

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A Venezuelan source who asked not to be named said police were now waiting for the right conditions to enter the building. Last week, electricity to the building was cut off.

Around 100 Venezuelans waving the red, yellow and blue flag of their country sang the national anthem outside as the US activists peeked out from inside the four-story building.

Carmen Ruzza, a 46-year-old Venezuelan scholar from American University, said she had been visiting the embassy every day with coffee and donuts while a group of people surrounded the diplomatic compound to pressure the activists to leave.

"This is a microcosm of the struggle we have in Venezuela," she said.

Ruzza called the Maduro government a "criminal regime, a drug trafficking regime that kills, represses."

For weeks, an unclear number of Americans belonging to a group calling itself the Embassy Protection Collective has been living in the embassy, with the consent of the Maduro government.

The American squatters aim to block the entry of the Guaido delegation.

The final Venezuelan diplomats who had been posted to Washington by the Maduro administration left the embassy last month.

US police Monday launched a bid to evict Americans who have been occupying the Venezuelan embassy in Washington for weeks in protest against opposition leader Juan Guaido.

US police Monday launched a bid to evict Americans who have been occupying the Venezuelan embassy in Washington for weeks in protest against opposition leader Juan Guaido. The administration of President Donald Trump and some 50 other countries recognize Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate acting leader as he tries to force the departure of President Nicolas Maduro amid an acute economic meltdown. Police with flashlights approached the Washington embassy compound Monday night, removed chains attached to its gates by the pro-Maduro activists, and spoke briefly to those insides. The activists -- who are seeking to bar the entry of Guaido's representatives -- were "offered the chance to leave voluntarily," according to Rafael Alfonso, a member of Guaido's delegation in the US. Three left, and the estimated four who remain inside were given notice that they "have to leave the building," Alfonso told AFP. But the standoff continued as, after five minutes, the remaining activists returned to the second floor, where they raised their fists in a gesture of victory through the window. Police then left the gate and re-sealed it with tape. The activists "are defending international law, defending the Vienna Convention and they are worried about the cascade effect," said Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, an attorney representing them with the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund. "That is a very dangerous path.'' × A Venezuelan source who asked not to be named said police were now waiting for the right conditions to enter the building. Last week, electricity to the building was cut off. Around 100 Venezuelans waving the red, yellow and blue flag of their country sang the national anthem outside as the US activists peeked out from inside the four-story building. Carmen Ruzza, a 46-year-old Venezuelan scholar from American University, said she had been visiting the embassy every day with coffee and donuts while a group of people surrounded the diplomatic compound to pressure the activists to leave. "This is a microcosm of the struggle we have in Venezuela," she said. Ruzza called the Maduro government a "criminal regime, a drug trafficking regime that kills, represses." For weeks, an unclear number of Americans belonging to a group calling itself the Embassy Protection Collective has been living in the embassy, with the consent of the Maduro government. The American squatters aim to block the entry of the Guaido delegation. The final Venezuelan diplomats who had been posted to Washington by the Maduro administration left the embassy last month.

US police launch bid to evict pro-Maduro activists from Venezuela embassy

The prosecution has admitted to a new embarrassing error in the Harvey Weinstein case, saying a police detective told one of the disgraced Hollywood producer's accusers to delete from her phone anything she wanted to keep private.

In a letter to Weinstein's attorney dated Tuesday, prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon acknowledged that the lead detective had made the recommendation to one of two women accusing Weinstein in the case, in which he faces charges of rape and a forced oral sex act.

"My office had asked Complainant 2 to produce any and all cellphones that she might have used during the time she interacted with the defendant," the letter said.

But the detective told her she "should delete anything she did not want anyone to see before providing the phones to our office."

Illuzi-Orbon says the woman ultimately handed over the phones "without any deletions," but the admission further weakens the prosecution's case.

"This new development even further undermines the integrity of an already deeply flawed indictment of Mr Weinstein," his lawyer Ben Brafman was quoted by a spokeswoman as saying.

The lawyer requested in August for the whole case to be thrown out and is awaiting a decision of the judge. The next hearing is scheduled for December 20.

The New York Police Department said "the evidence against Mr Weinstein is compelling and strong," according to a statement published in The Los Angeles Times.

"The NYPD will continue its work with the prosecution to deliver justice for the courageous survivors who have bravely come forward."

Weinstein, an international pariah after being accused by more than 80 women of sexual misconduct, is out on a $1 million bail and denies any non-consensual sex.

One of six sexual assault allegations against Weinstein thrown out earlier this month in a victory for the defense.

A letter from prosecutors, subsequently unsealed by the judge, revealed credibility issues and seemed to suggest that Lucia Evans, an aspiring actress in 2004, may have performed oral sex on Weinstein of her own volition, in the hope of obtaining an acting part.

The document also referenced possible police misconduct, after a detective failed to turn over details from a witness interview, and a draft email from Evans to her husband that exposed further inconsistencies in her account.

The prosecution has admitted to a new embarrassing error in the Harvey Weinstein case, saying a police detective told one of the disgraced Hollywood producer's accusers to delete from her phone anything she wanted to keep private.

The prosecution has admitted to a new embarrassing error in the Harvey Weinstein case, saying a police detective told one of the disgraced Hollywood producer's accusers to delete from her phone anything she wanted to keep private. In a letter to Weinstein's attorney dated Tuesday, prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon acknowledged that the lead detective had made the recommendation to one of two women accusing Weinstein in the case, in which he faces charges of rape and a forced oral sex act. "My office had asked Complainant 2 to produce any and all cellphones that she might have used during the time she interacted with the defendant," the letter said. But the detective told her she "should delete anything she did not want anyone to see before providing the phones to our office." Illuzi-Orbon says the woman ultimately handed over the phones "without any deletions," but the admission further weakens the prosecution's case. "This new development even further undermines the integrity of an already deeply flawed indictment of Mr Weinstein," his lawyer Ben Brafman was quoted by a spokeswoman as saying. The lawyer requested in August for the whole case to be thrown out and is awaiting a decision of the judge. The next hearing is scheduled for December 20. The New York Police Department said "the evidence against Mr Weinstein is compelling and strong," according to a statement published in The Los Angeles Times. "The NYPD will continue its work with the prosecution to deliver justice for the courageous survivors who have bravely come forward." Weinstein, an international pariah after being accused by more than 80 women of sexual misconduct, is out on a $1 million bail and denies any non-consensual sex. One of six sexual assault allegations against Weinstein thrown out earlier this month in a victory for the defense. A letter from prosecutors, subsequently unsealed by the judge, revealed credibility issues and seemed to suggest that Lucia Evans, an aspiring actress in 2004, may have performed oral sex on Weinstein of her own volition, in the hope of obtaining an acting part. The document also referenced possible police misconduct, after a detective failed to turn over details from a witness interview, and a draft email from Evans to her husband that exposed further inconsistencies in her account.

New accusations against police in Weinstein case

Southern US state of North Carolina authorities said on Monday they are investigating the death of a deaf and mute man who was shot dead by a trooper who tried to pull him over for speeding. 
 
Local television channel WSOC reported, Daniel Harris, 29, led trooper Jermaine Saunders on an eight-mile chase to his home in Charlotte. He used sign language to communicate. 
 
The North Carolina state highway patrol spokesman, sergeant Michael Baker said, the driver exited his vehicle in the neighbourhood and an &#39;&#39;encounter took place&#39;&#39; which led to a shot being fired. 
 
He died on the spot, Baker said.&nbsp; 
 
The State Bureau of Investigation told WSOC that no weapons were recovered from Harris.&nbsp; 
 
Investigators will be reviewing the dashboard and body camera videos while Saunders has been placed under administrative leave. 
 
&quot;He didn&#39;t even hear the siren, he didn&#39;t hear anything... You&#39;re pulling someone over who is deaf, they are handicapped,&quot; Mark Barringer, a neighbour said. 
 
Harris&#39;s family launched an online fundraiser, YouCaring.com&#39; to raise money for his funeral. The leftover money &quot;will be used to set up a foundation in his name to educate and provide law enforcement proper training on how to confront deaf people,&quot; the website stated. 
 
His family hopes to change drivers&#39; registration systems so the police will know a person is deaf when they look up a car&#39;s license plate. 
 
&quot;With this change, Daniel will be a hero in our deaf community,&quot; the family said. They had raised more than $10,000 by late Monday. 
 
(With inputs from AFP) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

The trooper, unaware of the victim's disability, trailed the man for eight miles as he wanted to pull him over for speeding

Southern US state of North Carolina authorities said on Monday they are investigating the death of a deaf and mute man who was shot dead by a trooper who tried to pull him over for speeding. Local television channel WSOC reported, Daniel Harris, 29, led trooper Jermaine Saunders on an eight-mile chase to his home in Charlotte. He used sign language to communicate. The North Carolina state highway patrol spokesman, sergeant Michael Baker said, the driver exited his vehicle in the neighbourhood and an ''encounter took place'' which led to a shot being fired. He died on the spot, Baker said. The State Bureau of Investigation told WSOC that no weapons were recovered from Harris. Investigators will be reviewing the dashboard and body camera videos while Saunders has been placed under administrative leave. "He didn't even hear the siren, he didn't hear anything... You're pulling someone over who is deaf, they are handicapped," Mark Barringer, a neighbour said. Harris's family launched an online fundraiser, YouCaring.com' to raise money for his funeral. The leftover money "will be used to set up a foundation in his name to educate and provide law enforcement proper training on how to confront deaf people," the website stated. His family hopes to change drivers' registration systems so the police will know a person is deaf when they look up a car's license plate. "With this change, Daniel will be a hero in our deaf community," the family said. They had raised more than $10,000 by late Monday. (With inputs from AFP)

US: Deaf-mute driver shot dead by policeman

Across the United States (US) police departments are searching for new tactics for a more difficult era of racial tension, increasingly lethal mass shootings and global terrorism. 
 
After last week&#39;s killing of five officers in Dallas, the deadliest assault on US law enforcement since the September 11, 2001 attacks, nearly half of America&#39;s 30 biggest cities have issued directives to pair up police officers on calls to boost safety, according to a Reuters survey of police departments.&nbsp; 
 
One, Indianapolis, said it would consider the use of robots to deliberately deliver lethal force, an unprecedented tactic until Thursday when the Dallas police department used a military-grade robot to deliver and detonate explosives where the shooter was holed up. 
 
Ambushes against police added to a sense of being under siege&nbsp; 
 
While a wave of anti-police protests since the 2014 killing of an unarmed black teen in Ferguson, Missouri, has revived memories of 1960s protests over civil rights and the Vietnam War, Thursday&#39;s shooting marked something different: a willingness to take up arms against police. 
 
Ambushes against police on Thursday and Friday in Tennessee, Georgia and Missouri added to a sense of them being under siege and vulnerable at a time when many departments already were grappling with heightened community suspicion over the use of deadly force. 
 
Responding to the Dallas shooting, Denver&rsquo;s police union wants officers to wear riot gear for local protests and to be armed with AR-15 assault rifles while patrolling Denver International Airport, the union said in a letter to the mayor published in The Denver Post. 
 
The most immediate change is the pairing up of officers. Thirteen of the country&#39;s 30 biggest city police department said they are pairing up officers - a change that could strain already thinly staffed police ranks in some regions. 
 
(The 13 are New York City, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Indianapolis, Seattle, Memphis, Boston and Portland.) 
 
In Albuquerque, New Mexico &mdash; one of several cities dealing with an officer shortage &mdash; pairing officers could mean &ldquo;possibly longer response times for lower priority calls,&rdquo; said its police spokesman, Simon Drobik. And for cities with tight municipal budgets, some question whether this expensive strategy can last beyond the short term. 
 
Doubling up officers &quot;is a resource-intense approach and it will be a significant challenge for some police departments to sustain that strategy for very long,&quot; said Thomas Manger, president of the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA), which represents police chiefs from the country&#39;s largest cities. 
 
He predicted over the longer term that police will increase surveillance and expand their security presence at major events across the country. &quot;This will cause complaints about violating people&#39;s constitutional rights to free assembly, but it is the only way to guarantee safety,&quot; he said. 
 
&#39;Targets on their back&#39; 
 
The attack in Dallas came during a demonstration on Thursday over the shooting by police of two African-American men. Alton Sterling, 37, was shot by police in Baton Rouge on Tuesday and Philando Castile, 32, was killed on Wednesday night in a St. Paul, Minnesota suburb. 
 
The Dallas shooting also left seven officers injured. 
 
&quot;We need to figure out a way to ensure that police officers don&#39;t get targeted, because right now they do have targets on their backs,&quot; said Andrea Edmiston, director of governmental affairs for the National Association of Police Organisations, which represents about 241,000 US police officers. 
 
Few of the police forces approached by Reuters said they could discuss specific changes in tactics beyond pairing officers on the beat. Los Angeles and Denver, for instance, declined for safety reasons to discuss tactics. 
 
Indianapolis police spokesman Kendale Adams said his department would consider using a robot to deliver a bomb. &quot;Our team will consider all options in (a) deadly force encounter,&quot; he said in an e-mail. 
 
If every police department had New York City&#39;s resources, the challenges would be much less. 
 
New York police spokesman Stephen Davis said some 1,500 of the city&#39;s 36,000 police officers have received coordinated heavy weapons training.Davis said there are officers around the clock who can respond to an active shooter situation in an estimated three to five minutes. 
 
&quot;As most active shooter situations last under ten minutes, that speed is crucial,&quot; he said. &quot;But we are well aware of the luxury that we have with so many resources available to us.&quot; 
 
Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum, a law enforcement policy group, said that as 90 per cent of America&#39;s 18,000 police forces have under 50 officers, many simply cannot afford the kind of staff needed to respond as quickly as needed to mass shootings. 
 
Wexler said the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 had been a milestone for police in realising that major public events could become targets. 
 
&quot;Police departments will have to deploy additional forces to what have traditionally been low-risk events,&quot; he said, &quot;because those events now have the potential for some extremist or madman to commit violent acts.&quot; 
 
But he said that the best way to reduce deaths from attacks with semi-automatic weapons is to gain the trust of local communities so people will come forward and help prevent attacks. Once an attack starts, there is only so much the police can do. 
 
The MCCA&#39;s Manger said that beyond police strategy and tactics, what America needs is a change of mindset. 
 
&quot;Everyone on both sides needs to take a step back.&rdquo; 
 
(Reuters)

Half of America's 30 biggest cities have issued directives to pair up police officers

Across the United States (US) police departments are searching for new tactics for a more difficult era of racial tension, increasingly lethal mass shootings and global terrorism. After last week's killing of five officers in Dallas, the deadliest assault on US law enforcement since the September 11, 2001 attacks, nearly half of America's 30 biggest cities have issued directives to pair up police officers on calls to boost safety, according to a Reuters survey of police departments. One, Indianapolis, said it would consider the use of robots to deliberately deliver lethal force, an unprecedented tactic until Thursday when the Dallas police department used a military-grade robot to deliver and detonate explosives where the shooter was holed up. Ambushes against police added to a sense of being under siege While a wave of anti-police protests since the 2014 killing of an unarmed black teen in Ferguson, Missouri, has revived memories of 1960s protests over civil rights and the Vietnam War, Thursday's shooting marked something different: a willingness to take up arms against police. Ambushes against police on Thursday and Friday in Tennessee, Georgia and Missouri added to a sense of them being under siege and vulnerable at a time when many departments already were grappling with heightened community suspicion over the use of deadly force. Responding to the Dallas shooting, Denver’s police union wants officers to wear riot gear for local protests and to be armed with AR-15 assault rifles while patrolling Denver International Airport, the union said in a letter to the mayor published in The Denver Post. The most immediate change is the pairing up of officers. Thirteen of the country's 30 biggest city police department said they are pairing up officers - a change that could strain already thinly staffed police ranks in some regions. (The 13 are New York City, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Indianapolis, Seattle, Memphis, Boston and Portland.) In Albuquerque, New Mexico — one of several cities dealing with an officer shortage — pairing officers could mean “possibly longer response times for lower priority calls,” said its police spokesman, Simon Drobik. And for cities with tight municipal budgets, some question whether this expensive strategy can last beyond the short term. Doubling up officers "is a resource-intense approach and it will be a significant challenge for some police departments to sustain that strategy for very long," said Thomas Manger, president of the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA), which represents police chiefs from the country's largest cities. He predicted over the longer term that police will increase surveillance and expand their security presence at major events across the country. "This will cause complaints about violating people's constitutional rights to free assembly, but it is the only way to guarantee safety," he said. 'Targets on their back' The attack in Dallas came during a demonstration on Thursday over the shooting by police of two African-American men. Alton Sterling, 37, was shot by police in Baton Rouge on Tuesday and Philando Castile, 32, was killed on Wednesday night in a St. Paul, Minnesota suburb. The Dallas shooting also left seven officers injured. "We need to figure out a way to ensure that police officers don't get targeted, because right now they do have targets on their backs," said Andrea Edmiston, director of governmental affairs for the National Association of Police Organisations, which represents about 241,000 US police officers. Few of the police forces approached by Reuters said they could discuss specific changes in tactics beyond pairing officers on the beat. Los Angeles and Denver, for instance, declined for safety reasons to discuss tactics. Indianapolis police spokesman Kendale Adams said his department would consider using a robot to deliver a bomb. "Our team will consider all options in (a) deadly force encounter," he said in an e-mail. If every police department had New York City's resources, the challenges would be much less. New York police spokesman Stephen Davis said some 1,500 of the city's 36,000 police officers have received coordinated heavy weapons training.Davis said there are officers around the clock who can respond to an active shooter situation in an estimated three to five minutes. "As most active shooter situations last under ten minutes, that speed is crucial," he said. "But we are well aware of the luxury that we have with so many resources available to us." Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum, a law enforcement policy group, said that as 90 per cent of America's 18,000 police forces have under 50 officers, many simply cannot afford the kind of staff needed to respond as quickly as needed to mass shootings. Wexler said the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 had been a milestone for police in realising that major public events could become targets. "Police departments will have to deploy additional forces to what have traditionally been low-risk events," he said, "because those events now have the potential for some extremist or madman to commit violent acts." But he said that the best way to reduce deaths from attacks with semi-automatic weapons is to gain the trust of local communities so people will come forward and help prevent attacks. Once an attack starts, there is only so much the police can do. The MCCA's Manger said that beyond police strategy and tactics, what America needs is a change of mindset. "Everyone on both sides needs to take a step back.” (Reuters)

US police forces search for new tactics in wake of Dallas

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