TRENTON, N.J., Oct. 18 (UPI) -- Police in Trenton, N.J., said officers were removed from foot patrols after a "credible threat" against officers' lives.
The Times of Trenton reported acting police Director Dave Armitage directed shift supervisor Sgt. John Breece to order the officers be moved off street foot patrols a few minutes after 9 p.m. Monday.
"He wanted them terminated for the evening. The gang-bangers had apparently made a credible threat," Breece said. "They were going to kill a cop on the beat."
The officers were put in vehicles.
Armitage was to decide Tuesday whether to return officers to foot patrols, Breece said.
The Times said no further information was available on the threat.
The foot patrols started at the beginning of October in keeping with Mayor Tony Mack's goal of increasing officer visibility.
How many officers to put on the foot patrols and which units they would be taken from had caused friction between Mack, who has said residents want to see more officers on the streets, and former acting Police Director Chris Doyle.
City police unions have criticized the patrols, saying they make officers vulnerable while outside their cars. The officers walk in pairs for safety.
