IACP Guidance: COVID-19: Staying Healthy as a Police Officer

by | Mar 23, 2020 | Events, Leadership, News, Public Safety, Wellness

IACP Guidance: COVID-19: Staying Healthy as a Police Officer




Take the following steps to protect yourself to reduce the likelihood of contracting COVID-19.

  • Practice proper hand hygiene by promptly washing or sanitizing hands after coughing, sneezing, or physically interacting with others. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
  • Avoid touching your face (eyes, nose, and mouth).
  • Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Make sure to dispose of the tissue immediately. Wash your hands with soap immediately after sneezing or coughing.
  • Avoid close physical contact with others, including shaking hands and hugging.
  • Maintain at least 6 feet distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing, when possible.
  • Promptly disinfect your gear including your duty belt after physical contact with any individual.
  • Keep disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer in an easily accessible place while on-duty.
  • Only wear a mask if coming into contact with someone who has the COVID-19 virus and make sure to know how to properly use and dispose of it.
  • Educate yourself and participate in training on the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for
    respiratory protection, if available at your agency. Ensure only trained personnel wearing appropriate PPE have contact with individuals who have or may have COVID-19.
  • Make sure to know your agency’s plans and protocols for exposure control.
  • Seek medical care early if you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing.

COVID-19-infected droplets may be able to live on nearly any surface. Consider sanitizing items you frequently touch during a shift:

  • Phone
  • Laptop
  • Steering Wheel
  • Gear shift
  • Dispatch radio module
  • Door handles and edges

Resources for Law Enforcement:https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novelcoronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-law-enforcement.html
https://www.cdc.gov/hai/pdfs/ppe/ppe-sequence.pdf

IACP Law Enforcement Information on COVID-19 can be found here:

https://www.theiacp.org/resources/document/law-enforcement-information-on-covid-19





About IACP

The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) is the world’s largest and most influential professional association for police leaders. With more than 30,000 members in over 160 countries, the IACP is a recognized leader in global policing, committed to advancing safer communities through thoughtful, progressive police leadership. Since 1893, the association has been serving communities worldwide by speaking out on behalf of law enforcement and advancing leadership and professionalism in policing worldwide.