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INDIANAPOLIS– The coronavirus is not just a public health issue. It is also a public safety issue, says Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police President Rick Snyder.

“We’ve had at least 58 people shot, 33 people stabbed, and 11 killed just in April. That’s during this pandemic. That’s 3.14 people shot or stabbed every day. Of the 11 killed are a young child, a police officer (Breann Leath) a mail carrier (Angela Summers), plus all of these aggravated assaults,” Snyder said Wednesday in an interview with 93 WIBC’s Hammer and Nigel.

There have also been officers infected with the virus.

“We have around 32 officers who have tested positive, but the good news is 23 of those officers have already been able to return to work. Our focus remains on diminishing the number of officers being hospitalized and trying to keep the workforce healthy. Our primary focus is on officers who are symptomatic right now,” Snyder said.

He says the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) should be considered a model on how to handle the coronavirus.

“They’re doing a great job of documenting those exposures. If there is any chance that we have officers who have been exposed, we immediately place them into quarantine status. There’s been a significant focus placed on the health and well-being of our officers which is vitally important,” Snyder said.

Snyder says IMPD is the leading department in America when it comes to officer professional wellness and health.