`Frustrated' police want to know when they'll get vaccine: federation

Saskatchewan's front-line police officers are waiting to find out where they fit on the province's COVID-19 vaccine priority list, and when they may start to be inoculated.

The Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers, which represents the eight police unions and senior officer associations in Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert, Weyburn, Estevan and Moose Jaw, has not heard anything so far. Outbreaks have already struck the Saskatoon Police Service and the Prince Albert Police Service.

“Our members are quite frustrated, because a lot of people don't know the actual work we're doing,” said Casey Ward, the president of the federation and president of the Regina Police Association.

Officers have taken on additional duties, including getting detention orders and checks on residents returning from abroad, which they normally wouldn't do, Ward added. While officers are enforcing the provincial public health orders and the federal quarantine act, other parts of the justice system are limiting access as a precaution, he said.

Sometimes there is no time to don personal protective equipment in an emergency response, he noted.

Ward described situations where police have to enforce a detention order against someone who has COVID-19 and won't self-isolate; at times, these people have to be housed in police detention cells or vehicles.

“Our members understand that, but they're wondering why are we not higher up on the list to get the vaccine. I totally understand that, I feel their frustration,” Ward said.

Mentally, the pandemic's “really wearing” on officers, Ward added.

Some have had to self-isolate away from family for days and some have immunocompromised family members.

Ward said he isn't saying police should be above anyone in terms of priority or that every officer needs to be vaccinated right away, but they want to be part of the conversation about the plan for them.

The Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police has been having discussions with provincial officials about vaccinations for frontline officers. Estevan police Chief Paul Ladouceur, who is vice-president of the SACP, said they want to support members working closely with health officials and are often the ones enforcing restrictions and public health orders.

He said officers are not only coming into contact with known or suspected COVID-19 cases, they are coming into contact — sometimes close contact — with many people.

“We just wanted the government to be very much aware of our concerns for our staff, and for our officers that are out there every day working with the public and working to support the health officials, and being front-line responders, that they should be considered in some kind of priority sequence,” he said.

Ladouceur said they're seeking a response explaining the plan for vaccinations after older residents and health-care workers have received theirs.

The Ministry of Health pointed to recommendations for vaccine delivery by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.

The province is in the first phase of vaccinations. Ministry spokeswoman Jennifer Graham said in an email that the vaccine delivery is currently focusing on priority health-care workers and long-term care/personal care home residents. The first phase also includes all residents older than 50 in remote northern communities and residents older than 70 in all communities, as supplies allow, she said.

“We know there is a desire from many individuals and groups to receive the vaccine. Additional priority groups will be identified in phase two of the vaccine delivery plan.”