Hand sanitiser at home opens is one measure put in place.
Camera IconHand sanitiser at home opens is one measure put in place. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Police raise concerns about exposure to coronavirus

Lucy JarvisJoondalup Times

POLICE officers have raised concerns about limited amounts of supplies to protect them from the spread of COVID-19.

WA Police Union president Harry Arnott said there were major concerns about access to personal protective equipment (PPE) as the union called for priority testing for officers this week.

“Our biggest concern is that our members on the frontline are going to jobs with no PPE,” he said.

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“We have been constantly asking WA Police Force what is happening with extra PPE and so far they have been unable to give us a satisfactory answer.”

Community News understands hand sanitiser was initially rationed in suburban police stations, and officers were given training to wear masks but not issued them for general duties.

A WA Police Force spokeswoman said it was following Health Department advice and guidelines in relation to the safety and welfare of staff, and supplying up to date information to all officers daily.

“The WA Police Force continues is working closely with medical suppliers and the State Government to secure further PPE supplies for our officers,” she said.

“WA Police Force has implemented processes and practices, based on Department of Health advice, to inform our staff on the required use of PPE and cleaning procedures.”

The spokeswoman said the State Government had announced that police officers who had been exposed to the virus were now eligible for priority COVID-19 testing

The union called for the priority testing after an incident where four police officers had to physically restrain a woman who claimed to be infected with COVID-19, after she refused to move on and self-isolate.

Allegedly, earlier in the day the same woman was the subject of two separate jobs including one in a Woolworths store where she was screaming that she had coronavirus.

“There is an expectation that police officers will enforce the government’s crisis legislation however, there needs to be more done to protect our members from COVID-19,” Mr Arnott said.

“Our members are committed to protecting and serving the community throughout this crisis, but they need support in the form of priority testing if they are exposed in the workplace and the appropriate protective equipment.

“Our members were already over worked and under resourced before this health crisis, so any reduction in numbers caused by quarantining, isolation and illness will place police officers under extreme pressure.”

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