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Police nationwide on high alert after NYC cop killings

Police departments and union leaders are warning officers to wear bulletproof vests and take extra precautions on social media following the shooting attack on two New York City police officers that left both dead.

By Amy R. Connolly
The photos of police officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu sit at a memorial in front of the New York Police Department's 84th Precinct after the two officers were gunned down Saturday afternoon while on duty in New York City on December 21, 2014. The two officers, Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu, were shot dead as they sat in their marked patrol car at the corner of Myrtle Avenue and Tompkins Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The suspect, 28-year-old Ismaaiyl Brinsley, ran into a nearby subway station where he shot himself in the head. UPI/John Angelillo
The photos of police officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu sit at a memorial in front of the New York Police Department's 84th Precinct after the two officers were gunned down Saturday afternoon while on duty in New York City on December 21, 2014. The two officers, Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu, were shot dead as they sat in their marked patrol car at the corner of Myrtle Avenue and Tompkins Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The suspect, 28-year-old Ismaaiyl Brinsley, ran into a nearby subway station where he shot himself in the head. UPI/John Angelillo | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Police departments and union leaders across the nation are warning the rank and file to be extra cautious in the coming weeks, wear bullet proof vests and avoid inflammatory remarks on social media following the weekend ambush killing of two New York City police officers.

In Pittsburgh, the FBI sent out a statewide alert about "potential threats" against local law enforcement. Officers were partnered up for assignments as an additional safety measure.

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"It is not uncommon for us to take this course of action when information is received regarding potential threats against police officers," Pittsburgh public safety spokeswoman Sonya Toler told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu were shot at point-blank range Saturday as they sat in their patrol car eating lunch. Authorities said the 28-year-old gunman, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, shot the officers in retaliation for the recent killings of black men by white police officers. Police said he posted threatening messages on social media, including hashtags #ShootThePolice #RIPErivGarner #RIPMike Brown.

After the shooting, the NYC police union sent the 35,000 officers a warning that two cars should go to every call, the New York Post reported.

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"At least two units are to respond to EVERY call, no matter the condition or severity, no matter what type of job is pending, or what the opinion of the patrol supervisor happens to be," the Post reported. "IN ADDITION: Absolutely NO enforcement action in the form of arrests and or summonses is to be taken unless absolutely necessary and an individual MUST be placed under arrest."

At the same time, the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association issued a warning to its 33,000 members telling officers, especially those in uniform, to use extra caution. The officers were advised to change their routines and wait for backup.

"We don't have the choice of not going to work and doing our jobs like most people do. We have a job to do. We took an oath, and we have to do our job as carefully and safe as possible," Patrick Colligan, president of the New Jersey PBA, told the Press of Atlantic City.

In Boston, the police commissioner also called for all officers to be on high alert.

"Almost ever since Ferguson we stepped up to make sure officers are aware. ... What happened in New York should never happen," Boston police Commissioner William B. Evans told the Boston Herald. "We're all going to rally around those families."

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