Highland PD Continues Steps On Officer Safety Concerns Regarding COVID-19
With Region Police Departments on the front lines of handling incidents while dealing with the COVID-19 crisis many departments continue to take extra precautions for their officers. With multiple departments in The Region reporting positive cases on their departments, we reached out to The Highland Police this week to check on the status of their officers and the measures in place for their town.
Highland Police Commander John Banasiak confirmed they have had one officer test positive during this pandemic. The officer was home quarantined, and has since returned back to work a few weeks ago in good condition. Currently, Highland Police have one additional officer who has symptoms. The officer was tested on Tuesday, May 12th, and is awaiting test results. He is home quarantined until results can be confirmed, Banasiak stated. Currently with just the one officer missing the department was able to fill the missing position with no shortage to a division, Banasiak told RNS.
RNS inquired about the amount of PPE being used and if it’s readily available at this time for officers if need be. Banasiak replied that all officers have been assigned N95 masks, tyvek suits, individual hand sanitizers, and face shields. With a few local donations, as well as a good supply chain the department already established, Highland reported no shortage of PPE. With masks being a little easier to find currently then the initial start of this all, Highland continues to purchase and stay supplied on the demand and need for equipment.
The Highland Police Station building continues to take extra steps on cleaning procedures and new protocol as well. The building itself has a cleaning person that is constantly working throughout the day and then again on the evening shift where all common areas, desktops, computer keyboards, door handles are cleaned as well as twice a day on weekends, Banasiak said. Throughout the station, there are hand sanitizing stations as well as wipes available. The officers continue to practice social distancing and officers and staff are not allowed to take breaks or eat together, to minimize any spread, Banasiak told RNS. “Also, the public does not currently have access to our building as most reports are emailed/faxed/mailed to the customers,” Banasiak emphasized. The department has split up much of the staff so there is no person to person overlap during shift changes. The department also has a rule in place that only one road officer can come into the station at one time with the approval of the shift supervisor to lessen chances of exposure to each other, Banasiak said.
In regards to the town police cars, Highland is fortunate as most officers have a take home car if they live in Highland, Banasiak said. Only a few officers share vehicles, the officers that are using the “pool cars” are required to clean/sanitize their vehicle at the start and end of their shifts, but those with take home cars are also required to still clean their vehicles before and at the end of their shifts, Banasiak said.
Upcoming precautions and changes are still taking place as everyone continues to learn about COVID-19. In the near future, all officers will be required to take their temperature upon entering the building at the start of their shift, Banasiak said. Along with weekly updates to our staff on the most recent suggestions and findings from the Lake County Board of Health and CDC. Banasiak added, “They also continue to seek input from ANY of their employees for suggestions they may have as we have experienced many things…both personal and professionally in our lives but we have never been through a pandemic before.”
