Local Police Wearing Buffs as Face Covering for Some Service Calls

The Pasadena Police Department is now wearing buffs in situations where the Coronavirus is not believed to be a threat.

The microfiber multifunctional headwear is a tube of elastic fabric that can be worn in several different ways.

The name comes from one of the main brands that makes the accessory.

They are most-used to cover the gap around your neck from the cold and wind, but can be pulled up and used as a face mask.

According to department spokesperson Lt. William Grisafe, buffs have been issued to all Pasadena Police Department employees as a convenient and easy-to-use face mask for situations where COVID-19 is not believed to be a threat.

“They are equivalent to non-medical grade masks that are required to be worn by community members when running their essential errands,” Grisafe told Pasadena Now.

According to Grisafe, if officers are making contacting someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19, they will don the appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Protective Equipment)  prior to contact, when possible.

In an effort to provide officers safety, the department’s dispatchers now ask a series of questions to obtain virus-related information from callers before sending officers to calls for service. Dispatchers ask if the caller is sick with flu-like symptoms or has tested positive for the Coronavirus.

On Saturday, city officials announced an order requiring “face coverings for essential workers, along with customers patronizing essential businesses.”

The new order is effective immediately and will remain in effect until further notice.

Grisafe said so far the department has not had to enforce social distancing and other health orders, most of which are punishable if not followed, and the department hopes community members continue to comply.

“The plan is to gain cooperation from community members,” Grisafe said. “Our approach remains the same when dealing with the challenges of the pandemic orders. We first want to educate people about the public safety aspect of the coronavirus and the steps that the city is taking to mitigate the spread. The second step is a warning to people that they need to follow the orders established by the Health Department. And finally, enforcement if necessary. Fortunately, community members have been cooperating with all orders and enforcement has not been an issue.”