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In an open letter to the nation's law enforcement officers, President Obama mourns the recent killings of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, La., thanks officers for their service in the face of danger and calls for national unity.

The letter, dated Monday, is addressed to "the brave members of our Nation's law enforcement community." In it, Obama says he met with the families of the officers killed in Dallas, and called and spoke with the families of those killed in Baton Rouge.

"Each fallen officer is one too many," the president writes.

He praises law enforcement officers for their service and says America appreciates their efforts:

Obama writes that law enforcement officers need backing, in terms of both resources and "our full-throated support," to do their jobs. And he says that law enforcement shouldn't be held responsible for solving "issues we refuse to address as a society."

He calls for unity: "Some are trying to use this moment to divide police and the communities you serve. I reject those efforts, for they do not reflect the reality of our Nation."

The president also praises "the good will of activists like those I have sat with in recent days, who have pledged to work together to reduce violence even as they voice their disappointments and fears."

, the Fraternal Order of Police writes, "The reason this letter has value is that we want and deserve to change the National Dialogue."
"We can and do provide the best quality law enforcement that we can but we cannot be held responsible for the social issues such as poverty, lack of mental health services, unemployment, and abject poverty. The work now is to assist our communities by continuing to recognize that we are but one spoke in the wheel and we will do our part," the statement reads in part.  Copyright 2019 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

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In the letter, the president mourns the deaths of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge and thanks all law enforcement officers for their service. "We appreciate it, and we depend on you," he writes.

In open letter to law enforcement, Obama says, 'We have your backs'

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