Local law enforcement reacts to recent string of officer-involved shootings

For officers with the Columbia Police Department and deputies with the Boone County Sheriff’s Department, danger comes with the job.

“They come here because they care about the public,” said Columbia Police Chief Ken Burton. “It’s the only reason to do this job. It’s not going to make you a millionaire.”

Burton has ties to the Dallas Police Department – he used to work there.

“I tried to get ahold of the chief last night,” he said. “All I wanted to do was tell him that I was thinking about him and it’s just a terrible incident. I don’t know what we’d do from here but if we could do anything, we would.”

Thursday’s mass shooting comes as videos of officer-involved shootings that resulted in the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile surfaced.

The videos call into question something officers should be trained for from day one.

“We don’t want anybody getting hurt, be it a civilian or ourselves, but each situation is different,” said Detective Tom O’Sullivan with the Boone County Sheriff’s Department.

There are no specific plans to change day-to-day operations at either local law enforcement agency.

“They’ll continue to do their jobs and they continue to do them well as they do every day right here in Columbia,” said Burton.

O’Sullivan added, “In this business you learn from day one to be vigilant not only on duty but off duty.”

But Burton said if any CPD officer needs backup, he’s talked to the assistant chief about making those assignments work.

“They can work two officers together if they’d like,” he said. “If they need a backup even on a routine call, they’re gonna get it.”