ST. LOUIS (KMOX/AP) - With at least three police officers in the area testing positive for coronavirus, St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson says the city is considering asking retired officers and other first responders to return to duty.
Krewson says the department needed more officers before COVID-19 and now, with some testing positive and others being quarantined, it certainly needs them now. She tells KMOX she and her staff have not made a decision, yet.
"We are working through all of that," Krewson says. "That is not an announcement, that is simply one of the things that we're talking about because we do need to make sure we have enough police officers, firefighters, EMS and paramedics."
Krewson says it's a complicated process.
"You have to be certified in all those sorts of things," Krewson says. "But you're seeing this happening in other locations. It's one of the things that's on our minds."
St. Louis County Police asked retired officers to get on a recall list a few weeks ago. Officer Tracy Panus tells KMOX that this Wednesday, the first eight retirees will begin sorting items at their warehouse for distribution to area first responders. She adds, "We have additional retirees waiting and ready in the bullpen when needed."
The St. Louis County Police Department said Saturday that one of its officers had contracted the virus, but the agency does not believe it happened while the officer was on duty. The department provided no other details.
The St. Louis County police said affected work areas and vehicles have been thoroughly cleaned and they don't know of any other cases associated with the officers.