Tulare County’s District Attorney Tim Ward has announced the formation of the Crimes Against Police Officers Unit.
The announcement comes as part of the District Attorney’s observance of Peace Officer Memorial Week, during which they pay respect to the 26 officers and deputies who gave their lives in Tulare County.
“Ambush style attacks on police officers have increased to the highest number in 10 years with officers being lured to calls for service only to be coldly murdered or assaulted.” -Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward
Ward says the average age of a police officer killed in the line of duty is 42, and the average time on the job is 14 years and 7 months. 10 American police officers on average have died in the line of duty each month in 2017, 144 died in 2016.
“This (CAPO) unit will consist of three attorneys assigned to the prosecution divisions in Visalia and Porterville. They will be assisted by an investigator from our Bureau of Investigations and victim advocates will be there to help with court and other services for those officers and their families.” -Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward
There are currently 88 cases pending of assaults on police officers in Tulare County – four are attempted murder cases. Ward says those cases where officers are victims will have a higher priority in the DA’s Office.
“Our officers and deputies are truly the “Thin Blue Line” and my hope is that line just got a little thicker knowing that we at the Office of the District Attorney stand with them.” -District Attorney Tim Ward.
Click below to listen to the story by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
