NYPD Orders Police to Work in Pairs Following Dallas Sniper Attack That Killed 5 Officers

NEW YORK CITY, NY — The New York Police Department has directed its officers to work in pairs following a Thursday night ambush in which snipers killed five police officers in Dallas, Police told Patch.

All police officers must be in pairs when they arrive at their posts, work their posts and when they take personal breaks, according to an NYPD directive sent out shortly after midnight. At this time the directive is cautionary and police have told Patch there is no credible threat to the safety of NYPD officers.

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The NYPD also reminded officers to "maintain a heightened level of awareness" following the attacks.

Several police and city officials — including Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner Bill Bratton — issued statements regarding the Thursday night shootings in Dallas.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo also announced Friday that the spire at One World Trade Center will be lit up in red, white and blue.

Five law enforcement officers were shot dead and seven others were wounded Thursday when at least two snipers opened fire during a rally to protest the killing of two black men by police earlier this week. At least three suspects were in custody, including one woman, following a massive search involving hundreds of law officers.

The names of the slain Dallas police officers have not been released to the public yet. The Dallas Area Rapid Transit police officer who was killed has been identified by the department as Brent Thompson, 43.

The people who attacked “planned to injure and kill as many law enforcement officers as they could,” Dallas Police Chief David O. Brown said. “Some were shot in the back. We believe that these suspects were positioning themselves in a way to triangulate on these officers.”

Patch editor Tony Cantu contributed to this report.