3 More Santa Rosa Police Employees Test Positive For Coronavirus

SANTA ROSA, CA — The number of Santa Rosa Police Department employees who've tested positive for the new coronavirus increased from five to eight over the weekend, the city's chief of police said Monday.

SRPD Chief Rainer Navarro said to date, 107 of the department's employees have been tested for the virus. Ninety-two employees tested negative. Results were still pending Monday afternoon for seven employees, but Navarro said he did not anticipate the need for further tests in the immediate future.

"While any news of a positive test is concerning, these latest results are reassuring that the proactive measures our police department is taking are working," Navarro said. "But we can't do it alone; we need your help, too. Please continue to shelter in place and please stay home. Your voluntary compliance is expected and we appreciate and thank all of you who are taking this very seriously.

"Unfortunately, some in our community continue to dismiss the public health order. In response, our department is considering additional enforcement measures if we continue to see people out and about in violation of the order. I can not emphasize this enough: our police officers and staff who are potentially exposed to coronavirus as they respond to calls need you to stay home so they can continue to go to work."

According to the latest test results Monday afternoon from Sonoma County Public Health, there are 52 active cases of coronavirus in Sonoma County. The total number of confirmed cases in Sonoma County is now 66; 13 people have recovered and one person has died.

To address the spread of COVID-19 within the Santa Rosa Police Department, only essential employees are coming into work in order to provide effective police services and limit face-to-face interactions, where possible.

SRPD has not reduced the number of patrol officers on shift, nor the number of dispatchers in its communications center. There will always be dispatchers to answer 911 calls and officers to respond to priority calls for service, according to COVID-19 frequently asked questions — FAQs — posted to the city's website.

Temporarily, SRPD is limiting its response to calls for service. Officers will not respond to certain property crimes (petty thefts, forgeries, other non-person crimes), some city ordinance violations, and non-injury vehicle collisions.

SRPD has enhanced its online reporting system so that when a report is submitted, a case number is instantly generated and the report is reviewed. If follow-up is needed, the report is sent to an officer or detective for further investigation.

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