Police in St. Joseph County won’t be enforcing the health department’s orders regarding face masks and hand sanitizer.
St. Joseph County Police sent the following statement to 95.3 MNC:
In response to multiple inquires about the Sheriff and County Police’s role in any enforcement of the Order issued by the County Health Department Sunday night, the County Police direct you to contact the Health Department and issue the following statement:
Sheriff Redman and the Department first became aware of the order on Sunday night like everyone else, through online media reports. Our department’s legal interpretation regarding the enforcement of this order is that it would be enforced just as any other order of the County Health Department. This order is no different from those issued regularly regarding food service/restaurants, tattoo parlors, or sewer/septic requirements the health officer might issue. This process is typically handled internally by the health department via a complaint and sending of an abatement letter, without any police involvement. Sheriff Redman does not anticipate any deviation from this usual process such that would require the involvement of police.
Lastly, we want to point out that the health department’s order does not state that masks must be worn in public at all times. The order specifically states that when physical distancing of at least six feet cannot be maintained, then face coverings shall be worn when in public. This is also the recommended practice of Governor Holcomb’s five-stage plan released Friday and recommended by the CDC.
