BPD Officers Test Positive for COVID-19; Hundreds in Self-Quarantine

BALTIMORE (WBFF) The Coronavirus is having a crippling effect on the City of Baltimore and those paid to protect it.

As of early Sunday evening, the Baltimore Police Department was down more than five hundred police officers.

Prior to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the Baltimore Police Department was short more than 300 officers.

As a result of the Coronavirus, an additional 219 officers are now self-quarantined.

The BPD announced the new numbers in a news release that confirmed six Baltimore police officers and two civilian employees have tested positive for COVID-19.

Late Saturday evening, Police Commissioner Michael Harrison announced the temporary closure of the Southwest Police Precinct out of an abundance of caution.

The lack of manpower has led the BPD to adjust and change how it delivers police services, according to Commissioner Harrison.

Since the start of the pandemic, 305 employees have been quarantined. The BPD says out of that 305 employees , 82 officers have been cleared to return to work.

On Saturday, the department announced operations adjustments at the Southwest District after an officer tested positive for the Coronavirus.

All members assigned to the Southwest District are self-quarantined until test results come back.

There are 133 officers and two civilian employees who serve the Southwest District, according the BPD.

As the precinct and cruisers are being sanitized, the Baltimore Police Department says that it is leveraging and reassigning different units within the department to maintain coverage in the Southwest District .

Commissioner Harrison spoke with community leaders of the Southwest District to discuss operation adjustments at the district and to address questions and concerns.

The Department says that it continues to follow the recommendations of health officials within the Baltimore City Health Department and public health experts.

In early March, the Department produced contingency procedures for a potential outbreak of COVID-19 at the department, to include patrol and specialized units within the department and its law enforcement partners to make sure that there is no disruption in service.

The Department also put procedures in place for officers to complete daily health checks and remain alert for any respiratory symptoms.

Commissioner Harrison released a statement saying, “The men and women of this department continue to serve during this most challenging time. "