GOSHEN POLICE ANNOUNCES PROCEDURAL MODIFICATIONS

Building. Front entrance of police and courts building.

The following is a message from the Goshen Police Department:

In support of Governor Holcomb’s restrictions to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Goshen City Police Department will be making minor changes to our response for non-emergency service calls.

Our goal is to reduce the risk of spreading this virus by limiting any non-essential contact with residents of our community, in turn providing a safer environment for the community and our department personnel. The COVID-19 virus is a threat to our community and it is essential for us to take every precaution necessary to keep our first responders safe as they continue to provide essential policing duties to our residents.

As a result, we will be implementing telephone-reporting procedures. Goshen police officers will continue to respond to emergencies, major incidents, crimes in progress, crimes against children, sex crimes, crashes, missing persons, domestic disturbances, as a few examples.

Calls for service that will be handled by telephone will include but are not limited to: property crimes with no suspect, harassment where the suspect is not present, or situations where a complainant prefers to make a report over the phone when an officer is not required to be present. E

ssentially, there will be no changes in the manner in which a resident contacts the police. The only difference is specific to non-emergency reporting, an officer may choose to contact a complainant by phone to eliminate needless exposures to both parties. As always, call 911 for all emergencies.