Police officers or firefighters canât really work from home.
Whether they are on patrol or putting out a fire, itâs challenging to socially distance while doing their job.
Eagan Police Chief Roger New said the COVID-19 pandemic has deeply affected his department as well as his personal life during a press conference with Gov. Tim Walz last week.
âWe had a total of 19 staff members who were impacted by the virus (in November), which is about 20 percent of my staff members at the Eagan Police department,â New said.
He said theyâve asked employees to work overtime, suspended community outreach programs, had trainings canceled, and theyâve exhausted federal leave for staff.