COVID-19 case confirmed at CPS

Today, the Calgary Police Service confirmed our first case of COVID-19. This is something we were prepared for as we know that our employees are not immune to the same risks faced by other members of the community.

The member that tested positive is a police officer that works in a specialty area where officers have not been interacting directly with the public in recent weeks. The individual and their CPS partner are now in isolation and the rest of their team was already working remotely from home.

“All of us in emergency services are regular people who have to balance our health, our families and our personal lives with the demands placed on us by our careers,” said Chief Constable Mark Neufeld. “We know some of us are going to get sick or are going to need some time away to support our families. The Service has plans in place to make sure we can look after our people while maintaining core services.”

Many of our employees are working from home to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within our Service. We are also continually finding innovative ways for other teams that have traditionally not been able to work remotely, to do so.

Our people are also working hard to make sure that frontline members who have to interact with the public have the appropriate protective equipment and information to prevent exposure as much as possible. The public may notice members wearing masks at calls where they will be in close proximity to others, speaking to people by phone, or asking people to step outside to talk so six feet of separation can be maintained.

When a member tests positive for COVID-19, we work closely with Alberta Health Services to ensure any member of the public or other employee who has potentially been exposed is notified directly by 811 or us.

“We are working hard to make sure that we are protecting the public and our members through this pandemic,” said Chief Constable Neufeld. “While the way we respond to calls might look a bit different these days, people need to know they should still call us if they need help. We will be there for them.”

As a matter of public interest, we decided to notify the public of the first case of COVID-19 in the Service. Anyone who has had contact with a member who tests positive in the future will be notified directly through Alberta Health Service’s established process.

The entire Calgary Police Service is grateful to everyone who is working every day to maintain essential services during this time. From healthcare workers to grocery store staff, there are many people who, like our officers, continue interacting with others so everyone can get what they need.

We wish our member a speedy recovery.