Police Department

By Letisha Dass

The Glen Cove Police Department works to limit exposure during coronavirus pandemic

Limiting interactions with the community is not included in a police officer’s job description because most of their work involves being of service to the community in person. Police have never had to be six feet away when interacting with the public, as required during the pandemic. Even so, upholding social-distancing protocols is necessary to keep the public safe. To do this, GCPD has found other alternatives in interacting with the community.

When civilians come to headquarters to file reports, Lt. Detective John Nagle said the time spent in headquarters is limited. “Many times, the officer might meet the person in the back of headquarters with a mask on,” he said. And civilians will most likely wear masks as well when completing the report.

One other way to further limit so

cial interaction is by handling reports by phone instead of directly in the office. “Overall, we try to limit the faceto-face exposure between the officer and the public,” Nagle said.

As long as the coronavirus is present, these new protocols will continue to be practiced at the GCPD. The officers have learned how to be creative in serving their community. Wearing complete personal protective equipment, including masks and gloves, is essential to keeping not only the officer safe, but the public as well.

“One of the most effective tools that we are employing are the masks,” Nagle said. Use of the mask, he said, is the reason why the department has had relatively few coronavirus cases throughout this pandemic.

Tab Hauser/Herald Gazette Members of the Glen Cove Police Department traditionally march in the Memorial Day Parade as they did in 2019. The parade was cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus.

G.C. Police Department Chief Chief William Whitton Deputy chief Christopher Ortiz Lieutenants Lt. Patrick Wright Lt. Peter DiMaggio Detective Lt. John Nagle Non emergency phone (516) 676-1000 Emergency phone 911 Email tips@glencovepd.org Address 1 Bridge St., Glen Cove, N.Y. 11542