OPD officers have carried personal protective equipment with them on the job since the first reports of the coronavirus, but now they’re required to wear it in every circumstance involving in-person contact.
PPE for officers consists of masks and gloves, which prevent COVID-19 from spreading and provide barriers for the respiratory system and skin. Though most health experts don’t recommend wearing masks to prevent contracting the virus, OPD officers are in a more vulnerable situation as they conduct traffic stops, make physical contact during arrests, and search individuals and their property when necessary.
“We updated our policy Monday,” said Public Information Officer Andrew Boggess. “Before, we provided PPE and encouraged officers to wear it. Now we require them to wear PPE in every circumstance [involving human contact].”
While the department wants to make it very clear that PPE should be worn, OPD will not be “punitive” about the new guidelines, as situations could arise that don’t allow officers the time to get their equipment on.
Aside from the COVID-19 pandemic, Boggess said OPD is constantly analyzing situations where PPE might be necessary to use. For example, officers are encouraged to use gloves when handling dangerous controlled substances such as fentanyl and carfentanil, which can be absorbed through the skin.
Though COVID-19 is OPD’s newest challenge, the department has faced its fair share of exposure risks before this virus.
“We’ve been dealing with potential exposures for decades, like Hepatitis and HIV,” he said.
In the end, modifying the PPE policy is just another way OPD can keep themselves, and the community it serves, safer.
“Utilizing PPE is something we can control,” Boggess said. “We can’t control whether or not somebody has the coronavirus.”
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The Owensboro Health coronavirus hotline is available 24/7 by calling 877-888-6647. Call the hotline before seeking in-person care. More information from OH can be found here.
For the latest information and data on COVID-19 in Kentucky visit kycovid19.ky.gov or dial the Kentucky state hotline at 800-722-5725.
For the latest health guidelines and resources from the CDC, visit their website here.
