Ala. police blame media narrative for attack on officer

An Alabama police detective who was beaten with his own gun says he didn't shoot his attacker because he was afraid of the media backlash.

He gave this statement to CNN:
"'A lot of officers are being too cautious because of what's going on in the media. I hesitated because I didn't want to be in the media like I am right now.' He goes on to say about local police officers, 'We don't want to be in the media. It's hard times right now for us,'" CNN's Nick Valencia said.

We've heard that concern a lot lately from police officers who say that narrative is hurting their image overall. A Gallup poll earlier this summer, in fact, found confidence in police is at its lowest in more than 20 years.

The Alabama attack happened last week when the police detective, who is not being identified, stopped a man who he says was driving erratically. A sergeant with the Birmingham Police Department told CNN the suspect sucker punched the police detective then pistol-whipped him.

What makes this case really interesting is both sides are apparently blaming the media narrative. Birmingham police, for example, say all the negative coverage is creating a hostile environment for officers. According to CNN, a possible motive for the suspect's attack is retaliation against police brutality.

Onlookers posted pictures on social media of the officer — bloodied and unconscious. The man who attacked the police detective appeared in court Friday. He's being charged with attempted murder.