COVID-19 Outbreak: Several Test Positive At Culver Police Dept.

CULVER CITY, CA — Six police officers and two staff members from the Culver City Police Department have tested positive for COVID-19, officials announced Thursday.

Police officers and staff members who tested positive were quarantined and all non-patrol or non-uniformed police department employees were directed to work from home to reduce contact.

The department also notified the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, and secured immediate testing through a private medical services vendor for all staff members.

"We are still awaiting the results of about 11 tests but as of now about 124 department members have tested negative for COVID-19," police said in a news release. "The department is still having all non-patrol personnel work from home or work modified staggered schedules until further notice to minimize personal interactions between employees."

The department described what happened, starting with two police officers and ultimately ending with eight total cases as of Thursday.

"Last week, two Culver City police officers began experiencing flu-like symptoms, both losing their sense of taste and smell," police said in a news release. "Fearing the officers may have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus, the officers were immediately sent home, quarantined, and testing was conducted."

Within 24 hours, it was determined that the two officers had contracted COVID-19, police said.

"Several Culver City Police Department employees who had prolonged direct contact with the officers were also sent home, quarantined, and tested," according to police. "Unfortunately, three additional Culver City Police Officers tested positive for COVID-19. All five officers were placed on quarantine for 14 days, as recommended under CDC guidelines."

During testing, department employees had staggered testing times, along with drive-up testing.

"All non-patrol personnel are continuing to work from home until a confirmed negative test result is obtained," police said.

After the testing was completed, an additional police officer and two professional staff tested positive for the virus, officials said. These employees were also placed on quarantine for 14 days.

The department is working with the Culver City Fire Department and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to stay safe during the pandemic.

Some of the safeguards and policies the police department uses are:

• Staggered work schedules for administrative employees to enhance physical distancing.
• Increased procurement and distribution of Personal Protective Equipment to all department personnel.
• The implementation of a policy requiring officers to don face coverings while in the station and during all public contacts.
• The closure of certain police facilities including the lobby and the records section public counter.
• The procurement of immediate 24-hour turnaround testing for any employee displaying signs or symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
• Increased daily cleaning of all station facilities, seven days a week.
• A weekly professional decontamination of all police vehicles and common or high traffic areas within the police department, including our jail facility.
• The use of video conferencing to facilitate virtual meetings and department intercommunications to increase physical distancing.
• The implementation of a daily infection check, including a temperature check, for all employees and visitors that enter the police facility.
• The formation of one main point of ingress and egress for employees to enter the police facility to minimize the touching of doorknobs and public contacts.
• The implementation of a policy requiring anyone entering the police facility to sanitize their hands with products provided at a hand sanitizing station which is set up at the department’s main point of entry and exit.

"The Culver City Police Department will continue to diligently work with the Culver City Fire Department, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, and the community to prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19," police said in a statement. "Public safety is the Culver City Police Department’s number one priority and department personnel will continue to respond to calls for service and meet all of Culver City’s public safety needs.

Anyone who requests further information can call Sgt. Andrew Bellante at 310-253-6316.

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