SPRINGFIELD – Police leaders defend a large rally of officers – with out face masks – at a current ‘United’ rally amid a pandemic and nationwide protests in opposition to brutality and racism.

The celebration at Riverfront Park on June 19 concerned practically 200 officers and included a gaggle pose for a photograph – and not using a masks or different face masks.

Metropolis, state and federal well being officers have known as on folks to put on headgear every time six-foot social distancing is just not potential, comparable to giant public gatherings. Town lobbied and distributed masks for all public safety officers.

“On picture day, we obtained collectively for a couple of minutes after which went again to our regular job, which incorporates social distancing the place it is secure,” mentioned Ryan Walsh, spokesperson for the police division. “We’ve not had a single case of COVID-19 within the 11 days after the picture was taken.”

Within the press launch after the occasion, police mentioned that they had been performed by way of exhausting occasions to indicate that Springfield Police have been “united and there to guard and serve you,” including that “officers are placing their lives on the road every single day to serve and shield you. and through this pandemic, they’ve proven as much as work every single day to maintain you secure. “

“The previous month has been irritating for our Springfield cops, greater than typical and on account of circumstances past our management,” Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood mentioned within the assertion final week. “I’m so happy with the best way the men and women of the Springfield Police Division have continued to professionally do their job of defending and serving.”

The rally for unity got here after the loss of life of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the nationwide protests that adopted police brutality and racism. A Minneapolis police officer has been charged with homicide after kneeling on Floyd’s neck for practically 9 minutes.

Walsh famous that 52% of Springfield patrol officers are black or Hispanic, and 30% of police supervisors are minorities.

Metropolis well being commissioner Helen R. Caulton-Harris, who urges folks to cowl their faces for such gatherings, was requested concerning the police rally.

It isn’t simply the police rally, but in addition at social occasions the place folks do not preserve a secure distance, she mentioned.

Nevertheless, Caulton-Harris didn’t criticize a price range assembly at metropolis corridor Monday night time when many metropolis officers didn’t put on masks. About twenty folks have been seen within the convention room, about fifteen with out masks.

Caulton-Harris, who was there and carrying a masks, mentioned she believed folks have been both about six toes aside or sitting close to somebody carrying a masks. As well as, it’s after the opening hours of the city corridor that staff and guests are required to put on masks, she mentioned.

Caulton-Harris mentioned Massachusetts has been profitable in decreasing new instances of the coronavirus as many different states report spikes in instances. The nation stays “within the grip of the virus” and everybody should stay vigilant to guard themselves and others, she mentioned.

Walsh, citing protests and violence in opposition to police stations “throughout the nation,” mentioned Springfield police returned in two-man automobiles, fairly than staying with particular person automobiles, which was executed as safety in opposition to the unfold of COVID-19.

The division “was compelled to drop among the precautions we put in place early on to stop the virus from spreading by way of our ranks,” Walsh mentioned in an e-mail response to the Republican.

Clapprood requested Walsh to reply the questions.