Crime & Safety
All in a day’s work for Anaheim officer during pandemic
Adapting in the wake of COVID-19
Editor's Note: To view original article and full photo gallery, please visit BehindTheBadge.com.
As the public has had to make lifestyle changes in the wake of COVID-19, the Anaheim Police Department’s patrol officers have had to adapt as well.
On a recent ride-along, Behind the Badge observed that patrol officers now wear gloves on calls and have a supply of hand sanitizer, dispensers, and alcohol wipes in their vehicles.
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“Patrol officers come in contact with the public frequently,” Officer Michael Fleet said, adding that officers attempt to maintain a six-foot distance from residents on calls, often by asking them to speak with officers outside their homes.
However, officers did not let the virus stop them from engaging with the community and celebrating the birthday of a special girl on a recent evening.
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Fleet and several other Anaheim Police Department officers paid a visit to 6-year-old Salma Joy, who recently beat leukemia and is now on maintenance therapy.
“It wasn’t just that she was just going from 5 years old to 6,” Fleet said. “She is like this little warrior. She just turned 6 and she has already been through this war. We cry and we complain as people about way less. Things that we think are a big deal in the greater scheme and greater context are not really that big.”
Anaheim Police Department patrol cars circled around Salma’s house blaring their sirens and an
Anaheim Police Department helicopter did a fly-over.
From there, Fleet continued on his shift, responding to calls, including one involving a family disturbance.
The officer switched to first responder mode before heading to that call.
“It’s always he said vs. she said,” Fleet said. “And we have to make an assessment of where the truth is.”
That’s life as a patrol officer, responding to calls as they come and working to protect the public.
“The average patrol officer doesn’t get enough credit,” he said. “You have to be extremely flexible. To a certain extent, you have to be very good at a lot of different things.”