Stitt, AG Hunter Release Guidelines To Help Protect Law Enforcement From Coronavirus

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Attorney General Mike Hunter have released a set of guidelines drafted in an effort to prevent law enforcement from spreading and contracting coronavirus (COVID-19).

According to law enforcement, the guidelines will help arm agencies with additional tools during uncertain times.   

“I’d say it’s a different challenge you know it’s invisible, so we don’t know. And it’s on our minds on a daily basis,” said Garvin County Sheriff Jim Mullett.

For the past several weeks Mullett said in addition to arming themselves with hand sanitizer and face masks his guys have incorporated additional measures in an effort to flatten the curve.

“Extra uniforms, we’ve asked them to put in their vehicles if they have to make contact with someone so they can change if they need to,” said Mullett.

 Those measures are now bolstered with what state officials deem “best practices”. They ask that law enforcement reduce sources of transmission, adjust conditions affecting jail population, and that action be immediately taken if staff or inmates are believed to be symptomatic.

 “These guidelines are there to protect people in public safety roles and the public,” said Attorney General Mike Hunter.

The guidelines also encourage reducing prison population when possible without risk to the public.

“We also want to give officers added flexibility with regard to who they are going to take into custody and introduce into a jail,” said Hunter.

 With the death toll mounting across the state and country agencies said more than ever it’s important to exercise all precautions. 

“We just have this positive belief that we’re going to be okay, and make it right by doing the right thing,” said Mullett.

“I know I speak for the governor when I say at the end of the day it’s never more important than it is today to be a good citizen and a good neighbor,” said Hunter.