Two East Chicago Probationary Officers Test Positive For COVID-19
Two probationary East Chicago Police Officers have tested positive for COVID-19 this week, according to Deputy Chief Jose Rivera of The East Chicago Police. Both officers received their results this morning and immediately notified the East Chicago Police Department Administration. Neither officers showed any symptoms and are doing well, Rivera said. They were both sent home to self quarantine.
To be cautious and help stop the spread of COVID-19 they had our maintenance staff disinfect and thoroughly clean the 2nd floor conference room the officers were training in. Police also placed 2 squad cars out of service that the two officers were last utilizing, Rivera stated. The squad cars will not be placed back in service until they are properly sanitized. Police have also identified and made contact with the sworn officers and civilian staff that the officers may have had contact with and sent them to the COVID-19 testing site across the street from the East Chicago Police Station at the St. Mark AME Church to be tested, Rivera told RNS.
Though it is not mandatory, the department highly recommended and encouraged all our sworn officers and civilian staff to go and get tested. The officers who tested positive are still in the training stage and had not been released yet to handle calls therefore they had very limited contact with any East Chicago resident(s).
“We will continue to protect and serve our community while at the same time being concerned about our officers and their health,” Rivera said. “Our administrators are constantly reviewing the interaction officers are having with the public for the safety of everyone, this is why we are still currently taking minor police reports over the phone to limit our officer’s contact with the public,” Rivera went on to say. “All our squad cars are also equipped with disinfectant spray, disinfectant wipes and PPE coveralls for our officers if needed,” Rivera said.
“If we see a reduction to first responder numbers due to quarantine or illness, we also have a plan to move supervisors and detectives into first responder roles as necessary,” Rivera stated. “We will continue to do everything possible to protect our employees and ensure the health and safety of our officers and our community,” Deputy Chief Rivera said.
