Coronavirus (COVID-19)

In December 2019, the CDC began monitoring an infectious disease outbreak caused by a new coronavirus strain first identified in Wuhan, China. On February 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease: COVID-19, which was officially named a pandemic on March 11, 2020.

The first case in the United States was announced on January 21, 2020, in the state of Washington. The first fatality in the United States was announced on February 28, 2020. Find COVID-19 breaking news, what first responders need to know about the novel coronavirus, and tips for public safety leaders in how to prepare for and educate the public on the coronavirus here on Police1.

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Seattle PD on emergency staffing model after vaccine mandate

Seattle Police said there "may be some impacts" to service while they work to achieve "100% vaccination compliance"

L.A. County sheriff says he won't enforce vaccine mandate

Sheriff Alex Villanueva claimed that thousands could leave the department over the mandate
Only 34 NYPD cops on unpaid leave over vax; resignations rose in October

Others remain on the job while waiting to see if their exemptions will be approved
Judge pauses deadline for Chicago cops to get vaccinated

A judge ruled that the mandate must be arbitrated with police unions before employees can face consequences

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Standing eight count: Old school
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Wife and mother to police officers – both deceased – her walls and shelves are covered by photos of them
Ga. gov. awards $83.5M in federal COVID-19 grants for public safety
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The grants are for 118 projects to aid public safety efforts and, in some cases, address law enforcement staffing issues that arose during COVID-19
Ill. governor signs bill to provide benefits for Chicago first responders disabled by COVID-19
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The law applies to those who got sick with the virus from March 9, 2020, through June 30, 2021 and assumes they contracted it because of work
NYPD court officers must mask up for COVID despite end of mandates
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Court Section officers are caught up in a lawsuit over conditions at borough courthouses and remain under a federal judge’s order to wear masks
Legislative panel OKs COVID-19 disability bill for Chicago’s first responders
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Bill was inspired by Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza's brother, Sgt. Joaquin Mendoza, who fell ill to being infected with COVID-19 but was denied full disability benefits
NYC mayor wants shoppers to drop COVID masks due to increase in shoplifting
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Mayor Eric Adams told shop owners to forbid patrons from entering with masks on in order to capture their image on video in case a crime occurs
Chicago mayor, state comptroller spar over benefits to cops disabled by COVID-19
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Comptroller Susana Mendoza accused the city of setting impossible standards for cops to receive benefits
Study: Suspects released on $0 bail had 2x felony rearrests, 3x violent crime rearrests
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The study was spurred after hundreds of suspects were released on zero-dollar bail during the COVID-19 pandemic and then rearrested in Yolo County, Calif.
NYC mayor ends COVID vaccine mandate for municipal workers, including NYPD cops
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Mayor Eric Adams said those fired for refusing to get immunized can reapply for their old jobs
Conn.'s 'hero pay' program gets extra $76.6M in funding, new tiered system for bonuses
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After getting 155,730 applications from eligible essential workers, including LEOs, FFs, EMS providers and COs, lawmakers realized they would have to put more money in or slash benefits
3 Chicago officers who died battling COVID-19 receive LODD designations nearly a year later
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A Chicago PD spokeperson would not elaborate on what contributed to the delay in that designation
COVID-19: Law enforcement deaths
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Tracking the coronavirus-related deaths of U.S. police officers and other LE personnel
Judge rules vax mandate can’t justify firing, putting on leave NYPD union members
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The judge's order said the Department of Mental Health and Hygiene “exceeded” its legal authority when ordering the mandate, which lacked a “rational basis”
Supreme Court to review detective’s case against municipal COVID-19 vaccine mandate
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The new development is unfolding after Mayor Eric Adams removes private sector vaccine mandate, but maintains municipal order
Supreme Court denies NYPD detective's plea to block vax mandate
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Justice Sonia Sotomayor denied the appeal, which would keep the city from firing Detective Anthony Marciano over its vaccine mandate
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