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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Calif. state LEOs, COs to receive $1,500 pandemic bonuses
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State employee unions have been making cases for bonuses since early in the pandemic
COVID-19: Law enforcement deaths
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Tracking the coronavirus-related deaths of U.S. police officers and other LE personnel
After officer’s death, his colleagues escort his daughter at graduation
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More than 15 officers turned out to support the daughter of a fallen colleague
Deputies shouldn't have been disciplined over vaccine mandate, N.M. arbitrator rules
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The result could lead to the reinstatement of deputies who were fired for refusing to comply with a COVID-19 vaccine policy
Ala. officer, 47, comes home after 269 days battling COVID
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Craig Pruett spent seven months on a ventilator and lost 80 pounds. Now, he's on the long road to recovery
Biden to urge local leaders to boost public safety spending
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Biden will encourage communities to spend more before the summer, which typically brings a spike in violent crime
Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program: What first responders need to know
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Learn who is eligible to receive PSOB benefits, how to appeal if your application was denied and how the program processes COVID-19-related claims
Identifying suspicious activity at storage units in a post-COVID world
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In addition to physical anonymity, COVID-19 changes have increased virtual anonymity
'I'm flabbergasted': Sheriff fined $4K for not reporting officer's COVID death right away
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Sheriff Watkins said the fine is especially galling because Officer Phouang died at the start of the pandemic, before COVID was designated a work-related death
Hundreds in Chicago PD unvaccinated as deadline passes
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Up to 681 police employees could be placed on no-pay status should the city decide to enforce its mandate
27 LAPD employees have long COVID, chief says
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One officer has been recovering in a hospital since late last year, Chief Michel Moore said
12 Mass. troopers fired for refusing COVID vaccine
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A local police union had decried the mandate, citing "an already critical shortage of state troopers”
Raleigh cops, firefighters sue city over COVID vaccine promotion policy
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The lawsuit alleges discrimination, including a policy that limits promotions to only vaccinated workers
'Targeted overreach': County can now bypass L.A. sheriff to fire unvaccinated deputies
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Sheriff Alex Villanueva has refused to fire noncompliant deputies, calling mandates an “imminent threat” to staffing
This Kan. officer almost died of COVID. Now she recovers, helped by fellow cops, community
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Officer Lisa Sidenstick, who was in a medically induced coma for weeks, had to relearn everything from brushing her teeth to walking
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