Minnesota law enforcement fights different battle against crime during pandemic

The men and women of Minnesota law enforcement agencies still do their jobs every day in the face of heightened risk connected to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS his deputies take every reasonable precaution, from wearing masks to social distancing, but cannot always adhere to those practices.

"It's really tough because you have to make quick decisions sometimes," said Fletcher. "If you need to apprehend a dangerous suspect, it is not very practical, or possible, to practice social distancing."

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St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell told KSTP his department has officers wear masks, social distance and have their temperatures taken when they arrive at work.

"I am very proud of the effort and courage our officers show every day to do this job," said Axtell. "They want to serve their communities and they do it facing a pandemic every day and that will continue and they will be prepared to answer any call that comes their way."

Axtell and Fletcher said their officers will face even greater challenges with the upcoming summer months because that is a time of year which generally sees an increase in crime.