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Santa Rosa Police & COVID-19 Response
The Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) remains committed to providing high quality service and protecting the health of residents and employees amid this public health emergency.
Reporting a Health Order Violation
To report violations of the Health Officer’s Orders, call the SRPD non-emergency number at 707-528-5222 or email srpdinfo@srcity.org.
To report public health order violations involving construction site compliance, contact the City of Santa Rosa Code Enforcement team at 707-543-3198 or submit a code enforcement complaint form.
Important Reminder! SRPD’s dispatch center is set up to handle emergency and non-emergency law enforcement calls and it’s important to keep these lines open for emergency and other urgent law enforcement service needs within our community.
COVID-19 Testing Updates for Employees of the Santa Rosa Police Department
As of May 25, 2020, 111 Santa Rosa Police employees have been tested COVID-19. (testing data is updated weekly)
- Of the 111employees tested:
- 101 negative
- 1 awaiting results
- 9positive
- 8 recovered
- 0 recovering
- 1 death
- 101 negative
- Total employees in quarantine*: 4
*Santa Rosa Police employees are self-isolating due to age, pre-existing medical condition, or travel.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Santa Rosa Police Service During the Public Health Emergency
Enforcement of Health Order Requiring Face Coverings
When I am outside of my home, do I always have to have a face covering with me?
No. If you are leaving your home and plan to remain outside a public facility (e.g. a grocery store), and you can maintain six feet social/physical distancing, you are not required to wear a face covering. It is recommended, though not required, to keep one with you in case you have a need to enter a public facility where a face covering is required or if you are unable to maintain six feet social/physical distance when outdoors.
If I am exercising in my neighborhood (e.g. running, biking, or walking) and planning on maintaining social distancing, do I have to have a face covering with me? Could I get a citation/warning?
No, you do not need to wear a face covering outdoors when exercising if you maintain six feet of social distance between yourself and others from outside your household. It is recommended that you carry one with you, but not required, in case the need arises (e.g. encountering neighbors, walk into a store, etc.). You will not be given a citation/warning for not wearing a face covering when exercising outdoors if you comply with social distancing requirements outlined in the Health Officer Order.
What happens if I am not wearing a face covering in public space? Will I be given a warning or a citation? And what is the fine associated with a citation?
The issuance of a citation or a warning is discretionary, based on the situation. As it the case with all of the active Health Orders, the goal of the Santa Rosa Police Department is to educate the community about the Orders and gain voluntary compliance. Issuing a citation is typically a last resort, reserved for blatant violation of a Health Order. The fine associated with violating a Health Order, including not wearing a face covering or mask, can be up to $1,000 and up to six-months in County jail.
What if I don’t have a face covering?
You can make your own face covering with household items like bandannas, scarves, towels, or old T-shirts. The Center for Disease Control has helpful tips:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
Warnings & Citations for violations of the Sonoma County Health Orders
Were the warnings and citations mentioned in the Police Chief’s April 17 Community video message given to individuals?
The warnings and citations mentioned in the Chief’s video April 17 message were related to:
- Non-essential businesses that remain open
- Social gatherings which are currently not allowed per the Health Order
- Citizens utilizing a closed City Park
As of April 21, no warnings or citations have been given to individuals not wearing a face covering.
What are the criteria for who will be stopped by Santa Rosa Police for violating the Sonoma County Health Officer Orders?
Citizens are stopped when there is a clear and blatant violation of a Health Order (e.g. large groups, not wearing a mask where it is required, being inside a closed City park, utilizing a City park without a mask, etc.). Police will not stop anyone in their vehicles for the sole purpose to check for face coverings.
What training is being provided to officers for enforcing the Sonoma County Health Officer Orders?
Santa Rosa Police Officers are updated regularly about the Sonoma County Health Orders. Information is provided to them throughout the work week via email, training, and briefings.
What if I see someone violating the Health Officer Order? Who can I call?
To report violations of the Health Officer’s Orders, call the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) non-emergency number at (707) 528-5222 or email srpdinfo@srcity.org.
To report public health order violations involving construction site compliance, contact the City of Santa Rosa Code Enforcement team at (707) 543-3198 or submit a code enforcement complaint form.
Reporting a Problem
Can I still call 9-1-1, if I have a problem?
To address the spread of COVID-19, SRPD is only staffed with essential employees, in order to provide effective police services and limit face to face interactions, where possible. SRPD is not reducing our staffing of patrol officers or dispatchers in our Communication Center. There will always be dispatchers to answer 9-1-1 calls and officers to respond to priority calls for service.
Will an officer still come to my home, if I need assistance?
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, we are limiting our response to certain types of calls for service. Officers will temporarily not respond to certain property crimes (petty thefts, forgeries, other non-person crimes), some City Ordinance Violations, and non-injury vehicle collisions.
How can I report crimes if officers don’t respond to a call for service?
SRPD has enhanced our online reporting system and you can now report most non-person crimes online, even if there is a suspect. Once the report has been submitted, you will instantly receive a case number and it will be reviewed for content. If follow-up is needed, the report will be sent to an officer or detective for further investigation. You can file online reports at https://srcity.org/529/Report-a-Crime
Preventing the Spread of COVID-19
What is SRPD doing to slow the spread of COVID-19?
SRPD is adhering to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention guidelines for social distancing within the Public Safety Building. This includes frequently sanitizing “high touch” areas throughout the building, as well as workstations, patrol vehicles, and officer’s safety equipment.
Additionally, briefings have been shortened or cancelled, training’s have been postponed, and essential meetings are held by conference call or video conferencing.
Do officers pose a risk to the public?
Officers are adhering to the social distancing protocols recommended by the CDC which are designed to protect employees and the community. Due to the nature of police work, we have also initiated increased sanitation standards, and directed officers not to come to work if ill.
Have any additional officers been quarantined?
As part of our ongoing Department protocols, our employees continue to self-quarantine when they show signs of illness or believe they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or who has flu-like symptoms.
What is being done to track and test individuals who may have been exposed?
Sonoma County’s testing guidelines prioritize first responders including law enforcement as they are essential and perform a vital service to our community. The County also has a robust process for contact investigation of COVID-19 cases. Public Health Nurses contact each case and conduct a detailed interview. Contacts of cases are notified of potential exposure and advised to self-quarantine for 14 days and report any symptoms to their health care provider and Sonoma County Disease Control.
What should I do if an officer contacts me?
Follow officer’s directions. If it is safe, officers will try and maintain social distancing. If there is any physical contact (searching, handcuffing), the citizen should follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) directives and thoroughly wash their hands after the contact is over.
Everyone must take the Shelter in Place Order seriously to protect one another. Abide by the Order and stay home – for yourself, your family, and all members of our community.