Detroit City Wire

COVID-19 cases have skyrocketed in Detroit, including two Detroit city police officer deaths this week. As of March 27, over 3,600 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the state of Michigan, according to ClickonDetroit. The city of Detroit has the most cases, at 919, and 22 deaths, according to Fox2Detroit. Detroit city police are wondering how they can continue to keep communities safe while minimizing their own risk of catching the virus.

To date, two members of the Detroit Police Department have died due to COVID-19, 25 officers have contracted the virus and almost 400 members are quarantined, according to WDET. Of the two deaths, the first was a 911 dispatcher, the second a commanding officer.

Detroit Chief of Police James Craig held a press conference to offer his condolences to those officers affected by the virus. Craig also spoke about changes to policing procedures amidst the pandemic. As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to grow, police officers will be taking extra precautions when responding to noncritical calls and limiting their responses to misdemeanors. “We are not turning a blind eye to crime. We believe that these actions alone will reduce the spread of the virus among our first responders and community members,” said Craig, according to WXYZ Detroit.

The Detroit Police Department has conducted virtual swearing-in ceremonies to respect social distancing recommendations and broadcast them live on the department's Facebook page. Police Chief James Craig stated on the department's Twitter feed, “To the Graduating Class of 2020-C, the @detroitpolice Department and the City of Detroit are proud of you! You will forever be known as the class that started their days handling one of the biggest crises of American history."

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has ordered a deep-clean of police precincts, and police vehicles are being wiped down every two hours.