Donning helmets with face shields, bulletproof vests, shin protectors and batons Friday, the Washington State Patrol suited up in their turtle gear to showcase what they do when they’re sent to areas of unrest.
"Most of the time, there’s no danger, but when there is danger we have to have the same gear and we have to wear it all the time because we never know when that danger will occur,” said Lt. Rob Brusseau, Rapid Deployment Force Commander.
The Rapid Deployment Force has been busy lately covering peaceful protests that turned into riots in cities like Seattle.
"In the past week we’ve seen fireworks, the mortars thrown at us, frozen water bottles, which was a new one for me,” said Lt. Brusseau.
They’re well trained and well-equipped to respond to fires, floods and violence.
WSP wanted to demonstrate the team's tactics to help with community trust and transparency.
"Our job is to protect those folks who’ve come there to peacefully protest,” said Chief John Batiste.
Chief Batiste spoke about the policing he’s witnessed across the nation.
"Black lives do matter and, as a black man, as a proud father and a grandfather, I’m very concerned when I see incidents that occur with George Floyd — that could’ve been me,” said Chief Batiste.
Chief Batiste also addressed a viral video that surfaced last week and appears to show a state trooper say, “don’t kill them, but hit them hard.”
"I issued a public apology. I stand by that public apology. I thought the remarks that we made were not representative of us as an agency in terms of our expectations of one another,” said Chief Batiste.
Chief Batiste said the agency is focusing on not just protecting people, but also listening to them, to build trust and break down barriers.
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