Two Lansing cops test positive for the coronavirus 

THURSDAY, July 16 — Two mildly symptomatic officers at the Lansing Police Department have been pulled from the streets after they recently tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said.

LPD spokesman Bob Merritt confirmed today that two officers recently tested positive for COVID-19, have “very mild” symptoms and are in relatively good health. It’s unclear exactly when the cases were detected, but they’re the first to catch the virus at LPD.

“We are assisting city administration with contract tracing regarding other potential exposures,” Merritt told City Pulse via email this morning. “Each officer had been off work for a significant amount of time, so we believe the risk to LPD employees was low.”

Meritt said all officers are required to wear masks and maintain as much social distance as possible during interactions with citizens. Information regarding contact tracing will be forwarded to the Ingham County Health Department and those who have been potentially exposed will be contacted, but Merritt said he does not believe other employees or citizens have been exposed. 

Merritt didn’t elaborate on when the officers had tested positive or when they were pulled from duty.  Police Chief Daryl Green told City Pulse that officers believed to have been exposed could be forced off duty and into a self-quarantine for at least 14 days. 

Ingham County Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth said none of his deputies have had a confirmed case of COVID-19.  No cases have been detected among personnel at the East Lansing Police Department either, said East Lansing Police Chief Steve Gonzales. 

This story will be updated with additional information as it becomes available.