Baltimore Rioting Impacts Fresno Police

The Fresno Police Department says the ripple effect from the riots in Baltimore is far reaching. The rioting in Baltimore is affecting the lives of the officers who work in Fresno and the communities they serve. Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer says the public mistrust of police officers is making it tough do their jobs. Police and community leaders are working to ease this tension through communication.

"The job of a police officer today is more difficult than it ever has been," said Chief Dyer.

An emotional testimony from Fresno’s police chief as he and his fellow officers watch the violence and destruction unfold after a police protest in Baltimore.

"What I try not to do in Fresno is to over react to incidents that are occurring across the nation, but be prepared for those incidents should they come our way," said Chief Dyer.

Part of that readiness is training officers for situations they may encounter. An example, if they found themselves in a riot similar to the one in Baltimore where officers were hurt.   

"They have to be very, very careful. They have to exercise a great amount of restraint, while at the same time being verbally and sometimes physically abused," said Chief Dyer.

As news cameras reveal the path of destruction in Baltimore Chief Dyer says there’s an explanation.

"People believe they can do things and get away with it because there’s a large number of people there and they do things that they normally wouldn’t do and that is what’s so dangerous about mob mentalities when you are dealing with crowds," said Chief Dyer.

Scenes like the one left behind in Baltimore have a wide reaching impact.

"Unfortunately, what has occurred in Ferguson, and now what has occurred in Baltimore and other places across the United States has made it very difficult for police officers to function in communities," said Chief Dyer.

Fresno’s police leader says he’s dedicated to keeping the peace in Fresno.

"We have open lines of communication with our pastors and our churches and members of our community to where we are able to discuss those issues that are of concern without having to resort to civil unrest and violence," said Chief Dyer.