SANTA MARIA, Calif. - California Highway Patrol Officer Robert Miller received an email shortly after 7 this morning. The email said that a statewide Blue Alert was being put in place in light of the shootings in Riverside County by Christopher Dorner.
"A Blue Alert, it parallels the existing AMBER Alert notification system, and it's broadcasted statewide when an officer is injured, killed, or wounded and the suspect flees the scene," says Miller.
Since Dorner is an ex-LADP officer and Navy reservist, this particular Blue Alert is different than most. Miller says all Blue Alerts require the same attention, but he admits that the dangers surrounding Dorner are at a much higher level due to his background.
"With a law enforcement background, it does make a big difference in dealing with someone like this because he does know the training and the tactics that we have," says Miller.
Dorner is said to be armed with multiple assault weapons. Miller says given the violent statements that Dorner has made online, extreme caution would have to be taken if he was spotted.
"And that's something that's relayed to our officers and the public," says Miller. "That this person could be armed and dangerous at any time."
And Officer Miller says that in terms of procedure, there aren't any measures in place for a specific situation regarding a police officer on the run.
