While new cases of COVID-19 are down among staff at the Los Angeles Police Department, officials said 3,036 additional people have tested positive for the virus. Four people are in the hospital for treatment.
“Two of them are in very, very serious condition and we’re working very closely with our medical professionals and hope and pray for their full recovery,” LAPD Chief Michel Moore said Tuesday at a board of police commissioners meeting.
Though the Delta variant remains a concern, Moore said the department saw a 30 percent reduction in the number of new cases of COVID-19 this week.
Of the more than 3,000 confirmed cases, 2,482 are sworn personnel and 554 are civilians who work at LAPD.
The number of personnel at home recovering is 168, down 19 people [from last week’s numbers],” Moore said.
“As a reminder, last week we had increased the number at home by 53. So that’s a sharp reduction and significant return of personnel back to the field.”
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Of the LAPD personnel who tested positive, 2,856 have returned to duty, up 71 people from last week’s numbers. Moore did not share how many of those who have returned are officers.
Even as case numbers begin to go down, hospitalizations remain a concern for the LAPD.
“We had one person successfully discharged and now recovering at home,” Moore said. “But we now have a total of four hospitalizations.”
Vaccination rates remain lower among LAPD employees than the general public, according to data shared by the department. The City Council approved a requirement that all city workers, which includes police officers, be vaccinated against COVID-19 or show proof of a weekly negative test.
Similar vaccination mandates throughout the country have seen opposition from law enforcement unions. In an effort to encourage LAPD staff to get the jab, mobile vaccination clinics are being held periodically.
“I’m also proud of our continued outreach and engagement, and work in overcoming the hesitancy that we see amongst a significant number of our staff,” Moore said.
LAPD, along with the L.A. Police Protective League continues to educate officers on the importance of vaccination against COVID-19 - and the legal consequences staff could face if they forgo the jab.
This week specifically, Moore said LAPPL President Craig Lally brought in a group of legal representatives to brief league members of the city’s ability to mandate vaccines for employees.
“It was clear-eyed, it was straightforward, validating that the vaccine mandate is lawful, it is enforceable,” Moore said. “But also with that presentation will be conversations about the value of the vaccine and its importance in saving...lives of our personnel, their family [and] the public which we encounter.”
Listen to Chief Moore's full statement from the Aug. 31 board of police commissioners meeting below.