No policy changes for Marana PD or Pima County Sheriff's Deputies

Published: Jul. 18, 2016 at 1:35 AM MST|Updated: Mar. 2, 2018 at 4:16 PM MST
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PIMA COUNTY, AZ (Tucson News Now) - Three police officers were killed in the line of duty Sunday in Baton Rouge.  While some police departments across the country are calling for officers to start patrolling in pairs, that won't be the case for at least two law enforcement agencies in the Tucson area.

"Are we going to have officers riding in two-people vehicles? Probably not," said Marana Police Chief Terry Rozema. "At this point, we're a community that's pretty small. And we really limit our ability to get to places that we need to get to when we double people up. We effectively cut our force in half if we do that."
 
Chief Terry Rozema says his message to his officers will remain the same.
 
"It's important to us to not to react but to respond, because reaction comes from emotion and response come from a measured thought," explained Rozema.
 
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos also doesn't have plans for deputies to ride in pairs.
 
"I don't know if there's anything we need to do different. Because we are well trained," said Sheriff Nanos. "It's more of a reminder to our team that we do need to be vigilant. You do need to be alert and careful to your surroundings and know there are potential threats."

Nanos says he realizes the danger his deputies face every day on every call.

"We are under assault. I can't say it any other way. I can't tell my young deputies and their families and oh don't worry about it, it's not going to happen. Because it could happen." 
 
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