Obama calls for healing of rifts between police, communities

WASHINGTON (AP) — With police under increasing scrutiny after the highly publicized deaths of black suspects, President Barack Obama called on Americans today to honor law enforcement "heroes" by working harder to heal rifts with communities they serve.

Obama offered his gratitude for the sacrifices of police during an annual memorial service for fallen police on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. He said the law enforcement deaths are a too common reminder that of the risk inherent in their jobs.

"We cannot erase every darkness or danger from the duty that you've chosen," he said. "We can offer you the support you need to be safe. We can make the communities you care about and protect safer as well. We can make sure that you have the resources you need to do your job. We can do everything we have to do to combat the poverty that plagues too many communities in which you have served. We can work harder as a nation to heal rifts that exist some places between law enforcement and the people you risk your lives to protect."

Obama did not mention any of the black men who died recently after police interactions, triggering a series of racially-charged protests across the country. Instead, the president spoke of some of the 131 officers who died last year in the line of duty.