Police officers have been placed on notice that no vacation applications can be approved at present, due to the impact the pandemic has had on the human resources of the Force.
Officers were advised of this decision in a March 15 memorandum signed by Commissioner of Police Atlee Rodney.
Rodney says he has observed that “the human resource aspect of the Police Force has been adversely affected during the pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus.”
And despite putting measures in place to protect officers andlessen the effects of the pandemic, the Commissioner says there is an increasing number of members who are unable to report for duty.
Consequently, he says, the Police administration has decided that all applications for vacation leave will be suspended until further notice. Rodney notes, however, that “the administration will consider applications for emergency leave.”
Several officers have fallen victim to the virus, which led to the death of Sergeant Hughon David two Sundays ago.
Infections within the Force have disrupted services in the Minor Offences Department and the Prosecution Department, which has caused a triple-down effect, impacting operations at the Magistrates Court.
Accordingly, Commissioner Rodney is admonishing officers to adhere to the established health protocols of wearing a mask, hand washing and sanitizing, which, he says, “will assist with improving the safety and welfare of our colleagues.”
The pandemic and its infections have impacted a number of law-enforcement agencies across the country,including the ONDCP and the Defence Force.
