Police change some protocols to mitigate virus spread

ROCHESTER - Rochester Police on Monday announced a series of steps they are taking to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus.

In an effort to try and create social distancing and limit the amount of time our community is interacting and communicating with each other in close proximity, the Rochester Police Department is asking that people refrain from coming to the station to report non-emergency calls.

Instead, police are asking that you report calls for service over the phone, 603-330-7128, or by utilizing our online crime reporting https://rochesterpd.org/online-crime-report/ in lieu of coming to the station lobby to report things in person.

In addition, please access any forms online for records requests, pistol permit requests, alarm permits and parking ban waivers https://rochesterpd.org/forms/

Rochester Police are recommending this in an abundance of caution to help prevent the possible spread and contraction of the COVID-19 virus by limiting as much contact between people as possible.

As a result, you may see some deviations from our normal practices that will be in place to protect the health and safety of those needing services. This may include, but not limited to, being asked to meet an officer outside your residence or business when they respond to a non-emergency call for service that can't be handled over the phone or online.

The Citizen's Police Academy has been postponed as well as all scheduled Ward meetings. We will also be suspending applicant fingerprinting until further notice.

"Our doors will still be open 24/7 and we will still be answering and responding to calls for service as usual, however we'd like to minimize close contact whenever possible," the statement reads.

Any visitors who have to come to the station or have face to face contact with a city employee are asked to maintain a six-foot minimum distance to limit contact with individuals and surfaces.

"Be assured Rochester's first responders are taking many precautions with our own health and safety to ensure we may effectively address public safety needs and that we won't stop doing police work because of COVID-19," the statement said. "We are here to serve our community the best we can while taking appropriate measures to best protect ourselves and the people of Rochester amid this pandemic."