Chicago police pair up for safety after Dallas shootings

CHICAGO (AP) - Chicago police are working in pairs to increase their safety following the fatal shooting of Dallas officers during a protest of police shooting deaths of black men in Louisiana and Minnesota.

Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson plans to reach out to Dallas police to offer condolences and assistance.

In a statement Friday, department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi says officers have been told they must pair up "to increase visibility and strengthen officer safety."

He adds that the week's events are a reminder of the importance of strengthening relationships between officers and residents through work with community partners.

The Chicago Tribune reports (http://trib.in/29BwYoO) officers working overnight were urged to "exercise extreme caution" after the Dallas attack. The message broadcast by dispatchers over police radio did not mention any specific threat in Chicago.