IT WAS WRONG TO DELAY LAW ENFORCEMENT VACCINES
Police officers and sheriff ’s deputies are first responders, just like fire personnel. They are on the front lines of public health and safety, and they must all be vaccinated against COVID-19 to keep themselves and the public safe.
In San Diego County, where hundreds if not thousands of calls for assistance from the community pour in every day, police officers and deputies respond 24/7/365 and go from person to person, group to group, house to house, business to business, and every combination in between. They are often first on scene for medical emergencies, providing vital medical care.
For these and other reasons, I was dismayed by the 3-2 vote by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors two weeks ago that effectively delayed the COVID-19 vaccine for law enforcement on the front lines.
Thankfully, beginning Saturday, these first responders finally will be eligible for vaccinations, the county has announced.
This was overdue. Locally, hundreds in law enforcement have been infected by the virus, and many more have been exposed.
Across our country, more than 250 people in law enforcement have also succumbed to this terrible virus.
The county Board of Supervisors previously allowed fire personnel to receive the vaccine. The board rightly concluded that fire personnel needed to be vaccinated before they could vaccinate others. The last thing we need is a super-spreader of the virus. Being fully vaccinated before interacting with numerous others will significantly reduce this possibility.
This smart policy should never have been different for others in law enforcement who encounter multiple people every day, including those with serious health challenges.
Police officers and deputies also work in close contact with others at crime scenes, among other duties. Several other jurisdictions around the state have reached this sound conclusion that police officers and deputies must be vaccinated now. Two weeks ago, San Diego County formally rejected the idea and drew an artificial distinction between police and fire.
But even after all first responders are eligible for vaccinations, a big problem remains: the wedge that was driven between law enforcement officers and the communities they proudly serve by the divisive words of some elected officials before, during and after the board debate. Their language frequently was inflammatory and appalling. Some of the divisive comments have included: If we give the vaccine to law enforcement now, they will be taking it away from someone else, which could be a death sentence. Or this one: Why should cops move to the front of the line?
We need to save lives in my community. Comments like these are not helpful and portray law enforcement as uncaring and selfish. They undermine the noblest efforts to improve community safety and communications between police and the public.
One death from the virus is one too many in any demographic or community. 2020 was and now 2021 is extremely difficult for everyone.
Vilifying law enforcement is a terrible mistake. Pitting law enforcement against other groups and the community at large is irresponsible.
Despite this alarming action by the supervisors, I am confident our San Diego law enforcement professionals will continue to respond to the numerous never-ending calls for help from our community — vaccine or no vaccine.
We need the police to stay healthy so they can help keep us healthy and safe. And our elected officials must choose words to promote unity, not division. Zimmerman is San Diego’s former chief of police. She retired in 2018 after 35 years with the San Diego Police Department.
Vilifying law enforcement is a terrible mistake. Pitting law enforcement against other groups and the community at large is irresponsible.