Gov. Scott Walker in Iowa. (Photo: Radio Iowa)
Governor Scott Walker is putting some of the blame on President Obama for a recent string of violent attacks on police officers.
In a column for the conservative Web site Hot Air, the GOP White House hopeful called Obama a “Divider-in-Chief,” and said we’ve seen a rise in “anti-police rhetoric” in his nearly seven years in office. In Walker’s words, “We’ve seen racial tensions worsen, and a tendency to use law enforcement as a scapegoat.”
Walker argued that shift in attitudes has “created a culture in which we all too often see demonstrations and chants where people describe police as “pigs” and call for them to be “fried like bacon.” This inflammatory and disgusting rhetoric has real consequences for the safety of officers who put their lives on the line for us and hampers their ability to serve the communities that need their help.”
Walker cited the ambush shooting of Texas Sheriff’s Deputy Darren Goforth last Friday, along with the death of Illinois police Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz, who was killed by three men this week who are still on the run.
An analysis by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel found gun-related deaths of police officers are actually down this year by 13-percent in the U.S., from the same time in 2014. Total police deaths are up 16 percent, possibly because traffic deaths of officers are up 36 percent. The figures come from the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial Fund.