Top state trooper visits local THP district

JACKSON, Tenn. — The state’s top cop made a stop in the Hub City Wednesday afternoon to visit with his troopers and talk safety.

Col. Tracy Trott

Col. Tracy Trott with the Tennessee Highway Patrol said law enforcement is under a microscope and that this may have an impact on officers in Jackson and across the Volunteer State.

“I think it’s made us much more aware of the responsibility we have,” he said. “I think we live with the idea that more is expected of us. I think we’ve lived with that from the day we put on the uniform.”

In a time when officers are being targeted and killed, Col. Trott said it serves as a reminder to troopers that they must always stay alert and not become complacent.

“That is the enemy of protection — when you become complacent and confident in your situation. You always have to be ready and prepared to react to any threat,” Trott said.

The colonel said the deadly shooting Sunday in Baton Rouge could easily have happened in West Tennessee. He said they have tracked suspected shooter Gavin Long to the Memphis area as recently as a few weeks ago.

On Wednesday, the colonel met with local troopers at Brooksie’s Barn restaurant in north Jackson to review the past year.

He said one consistent report from troopers is the amount of support they see across the Volunteer State. “Although some people have lost their lives and there’s been come civil unrest around the country, a lot more people have started noticing law enforcement and the sacrifices they make.”

The colonel said he hopes to add an additional 100 troopers to patrol the state by July 1, 2017.