JEFFERSON PARK — Chicago police officers no longer have to work in pairs, as department leaders Friday announced said they would lift the order imposed after attacks in Dallas and Baton Rouge, La., killed eight officers in July.
All units will be returning to regular deployment as of Monday, after the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, according to a Chicago Police Department statement. Officials blamed the partner requirement for slower response times to incidents in the city during a particularly violent summer.
There are no "specific or credible threats" to Chicago officers but the Police Department's "officer safety protocol," will be extended to cover the anniversary of the attacks out of an "an abundance of caution," officials said.
Five police officers were slain July 7 while patrolling a peaceful anti-police brutality protest in Dallas.
That prompted department brass to require officers to work in pairs "to increase visibility and strengthen officer safety," according to a statement from the Police Department.
Three Baton Rouge, La., officers were slain July 17 by a gunman in an ambush, officials said.
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