The New York Police Department is escalating security measures, telling academy trainees not to wear their uniforms or any other NYPD clothing in public.
This recommendation, which follows the deadly shootings of two NYPD officers Saturday, is an effort to avoid copycat attempts, according to ABC’s Good Morning America.
Officials told the outlet this morning that the move is a “common-sense precautionary step,” as the cadets wearing the uniforms are unarmed.
“It doesn’t matter who is wearing the uniform. It’s the uniform itself [that] is the target,” former NYPD Detective Sgt. Joe Giacalone told ABC. “The police department, because it’s under siege, has to worry about protecting their own lives first.”
The department is extending the recommendation beyond its own, advising even those not on the force to stow NYPD gear for the time being to avoid mistaken association.
“I don’t want anybody taking a potshot,” Giacalone said, pointing to his father who wears an NYPD baseball hat in support of his son’s work.
The NYPD is currently investigating more than 15 threats against officers on social media to determine credibility, according to CNN.
This coupled with the previous shootings spurred the NYPD to take all of its unarmed auxiliary officers off duty until further notice.
Further, every foot patrol is to work in pairs, according to ABC.
