News and ResourcesCOVID 19: The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting law enforcement agencies in a variety of ways, and the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association (MCPA) is helping police chiefs and sheriffs plan and prepare. The MCPA has begun hosting weekly conference calls with chief law enforcement officers from across the state. On Monday, roughly 50 law enforcement leaders joined the call, sharing updates from their cities, counties and regions. Commissioner John Harrington, Department of Public Safety, addressed questions and concerns about personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages, potential support from the National Guard, the safety of breath alcohol testing and obtaining a permit to purchase when law enforcement agencies have shut their doors to public access. “Police officers protect and serve – in good times and in bad – and our role as an association is to support and guide our members through it all,” says MCPA president Chief Jeff Potts, Bloomington. “These conference calls are just one way we are working together to navigate the challenges caused by coronavirus.” Many agencies reported low supply of PPE, especially N95 masks, which are more efficient at filtering airborne particles than regular surgical masks. Law enforcement from Worthington noted that a manufacturing plant there is working to produce shields that would allow masks to be reused. One smaller, outstate agency is already seeing a 20 percent reduction on patrol because of illness and is concerned about more officers getting sick. Commissioner Harrington said discussions about requesting aid from the National Guard are taking place. Police chiefs and sheriffs raised concerns over breath alcohol testing and virus transmission. The MCPA shared the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s (BCA) latest guidance on how to best administer the test to avoid transmission of the disease. Several agencies said they’re seeing a large increase in permit to purchase applications. Some wondered if staff must process applications when their agencies are closed to public access. The MCPA is seeking further legal clarification on that issue as well as whether non-sworn staff would be considered essential employees. The MCPA is continually updating its Pandemic Resources page with the very latest information and encourages agencies to lean on the association and one another as we work through these challenging times.
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