Fourth Fort Worth police officer tests positive for the coronavirus, department says
A fourth Fort Worth police officer has tested positive for COVID-19, the department announced Monday.
The officer has been off work since March 20 and is home recovering and doing well, according to a Fort Worth Police Department news release.
The police department is taking every precaution to stop the spread of the coronavirus, the release said.
The department has created a dedicated team to investigate and backtrack the movements and encounters of each infected officer, the release said. They are notifying anyone who may be at risk and saying they may need to self-isolate.
The four officers who have tested positive have all worked in the same unit and had limited close contact with others while at work, according to Manny Ramirez, Fort Worth Police Officers Association president.
The police officers association is communicating with the officers and has offered to assist them in any way possible. All the officers who tested positive are doing well and recovering at home, Ramirez said.
Fort Worth police officers began to wear protective masks and protective gloves as they responded to calls in late March, Ramirez said.
“Everyone has enough PPE (personal protective equipment) right now, but we are constantly looking for more,” Ramirez said.
Police are disinfecting vehicles and office spaces where the officers worked. City leaders are aware and have offered any assistance needed.
Offers to assist can be directed to the Fort Worth Police Officers Association at 817-870-2171, Ramirez said.
Police officers are also using their discretion and taking a person to jail only when it is deemed necessary, Ramirez said.
“Making sure the safety and health of our citizens is our number one priority and our policies stress that,” Ramirez said.
