Philly mayor urges a show of respect from police and citizens

Addressing recent unrest involving police, Philadelphia’s mayor offered some common-sense advice.

Mayor Michael Nutter says people need to respect those whose job it is to uphold the law.

“Their first duty is to protect themselves and the citizens of the city,” he said. “So my recommendation is don’t shoot at the police don’t fight with the police.”

City officials are always watching the actions of officers, Nutter said. And every shooting is reviewed.

“We need to make sure that officers do not engage, in the course of their policing, in a way that is disrespectful to the citizens of Philadelphia, that’s not oppressive, that’s not abusive, that’s not prejudiced,” he said.

The mayor is also calling for community members to recognize that police risk their lives every day on the job and deserve a level of respect.