Middle Twp Police Officer Tests Positive for Virus

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COURT HOUSE – The Middle Township Police Department was notified April 2 that one of its officers had tested positive for COVID-19. 
According to a release, the officer is doing well and recovering at home.
In addition, the department currently has four officers in quarantine after being in close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual. The incident which triggered four officers to be quarantined is not connected to the officer who tested positive. The officers in quarantine do not have any symptoms and are self-monitoring.
The department received approval from Mayor Timothy Donohue and Township Committee to institute a new patrol schedule which started March 23.
The new patrol schedule was put in place in anticipation of the likelihood the department would have some officers become infected or need to be quarantined for some time after close contact with a COVID positive individual.
The Middle Township Police Department, as a result, will continue to protect and serve the residents without interruption.
Chief Christopher Leusner stated, “I am extremely grateful our officer is doing well and recovering at home. I have often been asked by many of our caring and generous community members how they can help our officers and department. Today, nothing could be of more helpful or important than to simply comply with the Governor’s Executive Orders.
“In a time that is filled with fear, concern, and uncertainty, the people of Middle Township can be assured about one thing: they will continue to be served and protected by the most professional and well-trained police officers in the nation.”
”We had to assume that one or more of our officers would eventually test positive,” Donohue stated. “As director of public safety, I approved an innovative and proactive approach to segregate our officers into separate, independent squads to reduce the ripple effect of one or more officers testing positive. I’m very happy to hear our officer is doing well and on the mend at home. We pray that the officers in quarantine are virus-free and can soon return to duty. As always, we could not be more proud of the MTPD.”