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This is how local law enforcement is working amid the COVID-19 outbreak

Posted at 6:34 PM, Mar 23, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-23 19:52:09-04

BRAZOS COUNTY, TX — The coronavirus has created a significant impact on the way we live our day to day life around the world. With confirmed community spread cases of COVID-19 in the Brazos Valley, law enforcement is continuing to serve their communities during this global pandemic.

"Well as you could imagine we're affected like every other person on the face of this earth right now with COVID-19," says Sheriff Chris Kirk. "And the worries that come with the possibility of being infected."

As cities around the nation come to a stand still due to the spread of coronavirus, local law enforcement are continuing to work 24/7 for the community.

"We are the tip of the sphere and we have a responsibility to maintain our role in the criminal justice system and maintain our role in our community for protection and safety," explains Kirk.

With positive community spread cases of coronavirus in Brazos County, work is starting to look a little different for law enforcement explain Bryan Police Department's Interim Assistant Chief, Dean Swartzlander.

"We’ve tried to do our best to social distance within the department to try and keep our men and women in the field versus coming back to the department where we’re in a close knit environment in case one of us potentially gets exposed to the virus."

In efforts to keep their men and women safe, agencies have supplied their officers with N-95 masks and gloves to use when appropriate. The Brazos County Sheriffs Department and Bryan Police Department both stress the importance communication is during this pandemic for the mental health of the officers.

"The big thing for us is communication, just like everybody else, everyone is starving for the next piece of information," explains Swartzlander. "We're trying to do the best we can to keep our officers informed."

The Brazos County Sheriffs Department tells 25 News that they are in constant communication across agencies during this time. Sheriff Kirk says there is a plan in place if the infection rate increases to a certain level and how they will continue to operate.