Front Lines: Policing pandemic means making changes

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Perryville Police Department spokesman Cpl. Jeri Cain and her fellow officers are taking no chances when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are following the guidelines for law enforcement set out by the CDC,” Cain said. “When we get home, we bleach the bottom of our shoes, our uniforms go into the wash immediately, and we take a shower before we interact with our families.” Cain said policing during a pandemic is “definitely different,” especially abiding by all the guidelines set forth by national, state and local health organizations. “This pandemic will change how law enforcement, and all first responders respond in the future to certain things,” Cain said. “Just like how things changed after the 9-11 terrorist attacks.” How might the COVID-19 pandemic change things for the police department? Cain offered a possible glimpse into the future. “We are going to have to look at whether officers will continue to wear personal protective equipment on every call, or just in certain situations,” Cain said. “We will be carrying that PPE with us at all times in our patrol cars, so if there’s a need for it, we’ll have it.” It makes Cain nervous to see officers go out on calls during this time, especially when they don’t know what they might encounter, but according to Cain, “that’s every call.” “We never know what is on the other end of that call,” Cain said. “There’s times we get a call of a subject walking down the road, it might be somebody that’s new in town or someone carrying a weapon. That part of it really hasn’t changed except we know it might be a case of infectious disease. We are always on guard.” The pandemic has also changed how officers respond to calls. Officers will still respond to active “in progress” calls such as assaults, robberies and the like, Cain said, but calls regarding lesser matters, such as “when someone breaks in to a car and there’s nothing missing but change” may not see an officer dispatched. “Non-injury private property accidents will not warrant an officer’s response at this time,” Cain said. As for emergency medical calls, Cain said officers will be following the suggested guidelines for law enforcement officers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which include modified caller queries from dispatchers and the use of personal protective equipment when dealing with persons who may be or may become infected. The new protocols, Cain said, will help to keep police officers on the street instead of in quarantine and also help prevent officers from unwittingly spreading the virus. Non-emergency and business calls for service will be taken over the phone at 573-547-4546. In the case of minor accidents, callers will be directed to exchange insurance information with the other vehicle owner. City residents are also asked to refrain from traveling to the police department and instead make every attempt to report any incident via telephone at 573-547-4546. In addition, the department has cancelled all civic meetings, public programs, and department tours until further notice. “We can’t see COVID-19, but we can protect our officers to the best of our ability and make sure their loved ones are safe when thy go home.” Cain said.