Methuen Police concerned over increasing cases of violence against cops

METHUEN, Mass. -- It's been a tough couple of weeks for police in New England and around the country.

A recent spike in violence against police officers has become worrisome as more cases of officers being assaulted on the job have been reported.

This week, there were two very close calls for officers in Methuen.

On Tuesday, a man threatened police and then tried running them down.

"Then suddenly, he put the car in reverse and came towards them - the closest officer was able to get away, he nearly hit the cruiser and took off," said Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon.

Within 24 hours, another officer was assaulted by a 14-year-old, in what could have possibly been a career-ending incident.

"The kid pushes him, [he] trips and lands on his shoulder and breaks it in two parts," said Chief Solomon. "When it happens so close together it just causes concern again."

Chief Solomon said it's been a tough week for law enforcement everywhere, but specifically in New England with the recent shooting deaths of a police sargent and a sheriff's deputy.

"Ten years ago, if you said 'stop' to a kid he would stop, he may be mouthy but he would comply," said Chief Solomon.

He said the pendulum has swung far from where it was when he started in the 1980s.

Chief Solomon said it's these types of incidents, specifically the ones that took place last Tuesday, that show why his men wear body cameras. He added that, "at the end of the day, each of us is responsible for our own actions."

"A lot of times everyone is always asking why but sometimes the responsibility falls on that person and the actions they took," he said.

TONIGHT AT 11: Hear from the two officers involved in these close calls.

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