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Why was the Utah AG wearing a bulletproof vest at a police rally?

Posted at 4:15 PM, Dec 26, 2014
and last updated 2014-12-26 21:49:40-05

SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes appeared at a rally in support of law enforcement, wearing a bulletproof vest.

The vest was visible from underneath Reyes' shirt in images of the rally filmed by FOX 13 on Friday.

Asked about the vest, Utah attorney general's spokeswoman Missy Larsen said it was a "precautionary measure" decided by his security team. She said no specific threat had been leveled against Reyes for attending the rally.

Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, attending a rally in support of law enforcement at Washington Square on Friday, Dec. 26, 2014.

Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, attending a rally in support of law enforcement at Washington Square on Friday, Dec. 26, 2014.

At the rally, a visibly emotional Reyes spoke briefly to the crowd expressing his gratitude for the job law enforcement does on a daily basis. He stood next to family members of police officers who had been killed in the line of duty.

"I know you're just here to show your support and your love and your appreciation for those, who in my book, are heroes who continue to put their lives on the line to keep us safe," he told them.

In brief comments to FOX 13, Reyes said he also believed that officers should be held accountable for misconduct.

"They (police) know they're not above the law and we're the first ones, when we see the abuse of the great authority and power they have, to come down on them," the attorney general said. "But, overall, they're a good group and they deserve our appreciation. That's what we wanted to come out and do today."