In a Monday Facebook post, the Bloomington Police Department addressed concerns about some officers not appearing to wear masks despite the county's mask ordinance, writing that there are some situations in which officers don't have time to put on a mask.
The Indiana Daily Student reported that an Indiana University senior confronted BPD officers last week about not wearing masks while interacting with the public. Monroe County began requiring masks in all public buildings and outdoors whenever social distancing is not possible in mid-July.
READ MORE: Monroe County Issues Order Requiring Face Masks Beginning Friday
The BPD Facebook post said officers are required to abide by the county mask ordinance, but "there are certain emergent calls that officers respond to in which the exigency of the response does not allow officers the necessary time to don a mask prior to engaging with individuals involved in the call."
The post said the department encourages officers to wear masks whenever it is "practical," but does not want them to attempt to don masks while driving.
Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton espoused the same views in an Ask The Mayor interview last week, saying that police officers "are often entering a situation where it's really important that they be identifiable and identify quickly."
For the latest news and resources about COVID-19, bookmark our Coronavirus In Indiana page here.
