Detroit Police Department Given 2,000 KN95 Masks

DETROIT, MI — Responding within hours of Mayor Mike Duggan's request for help with key personal protective equipment (PPE), one area business made a significant donation to the Detroit Police Department. Officials from Detroit and DTE Energy announced today the donation of 2,000 KN95 respirator masks for Detroit police officers to use. The masks are essential for helping to limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), which has had a significant impact on the Detroit Police Department, with nearly 40 members of the force — including Chief James Craig — testing positive for the virus.

Duggan contacted DTE Energy President and CEO Jerry Norcia Saturday morning to request help protecting officers during the COVID-19 outbreak. That afternoon, DPD received the masks from DTE for distribution throughout the department.

“Protecting our officers who are continuing to come to work every day to keep our communities safe is among our top priorities,” Duggan said in a statement. “I reached out to DTE for help and within hours they got us what we needed. This is a time when we need our community leaders and DTE is coming through in a big way. We’re thankful to have committed partners like that.”

About 39 Detroit police officers have tested positive for COVID-19. An additional 468 are out on quarantine. On Friday, Duggan announced that Craig was among the officers who have tested positive for the virus. PPE, such as KN95 masks, help to limit the spread of the virus, both inside and outside the department.

“We’re committed to the communities where we live and serve,” Norcia said. “Our team has been working around the clock to procure as many masks as possible for our communities and for those working on the front lines, including first responders and hospitals. When Mayor Duggan called and shared that our heroic police officers needed masks, I knew we had to do everything in our power to help. We’re all in this together.”

The KN95 masks are essential PPE for officers in the field. They are a key part of the department’s five-step plan to limit the spread of COVID-19. The plan also includes additional safety precautions, such as symptom checks at the start of each shift.

For more information about COVID-19 or for local resources, visit Detroit's resource page here.