![COVID-19 Decimates Duson Police Department](http://townsquare.media/site/34/files/2018/07/Duson-Police-SUV1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
COVID-19 Decimates Duson Police Department
The Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office and Louisiana State Police will handle emergency calls in Duson until further notice after an outbreak of COVID-19 within the town's police department.
According to Chief Kip Judice, five Duson police officers including Judice himself have tested positive for COVID-19 since Thursday. Judice says he tested positive for the novel coronavirus Monday morning.
According to Judice, administrative calls to the police department will be forwarded to Duson Town Hall. Emergency calls will be forwarded either to the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office or to Louisiana State Police as per mutual aid agreements the Duson Police Department has with those agencies. Judice says calls for crimes that are not in progress will be handled by one of the four Duson police officer who is well. Judice says there could be delays in response times because of the situation, but he says all calls in the town will be handled by law enforcement.
"Public safety officials have mutual aid agreements for these type of emergencies and having sick people potentially infecting other citizens is not the proper response," Judice said in a press release. "These procedures will remain in affect until it is safe and responsible for the Duson PD to return to normal operations."
Judice says the Duson Police Department's administrative offices will remain closed for the rest of the week while cleaning crews sanitize the facility. Judice says he expects the office to reopen next Monday (June 13).
Seven Forgotten Facts About Lafayette
Lafayette: 1981 vs. 2021
The Seven Modern Wonders of Acadiana
More From News Talk 96.5 KPEL
![Two Arrested for Church Point, Louisiana ATM Theft](http://townsquare.media/site/34/files/2022/04/attachment-jake-allen-7Q1lhdgbyNU-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![The Latest COVID-19 Surge Is Hitting Louisiana. Is It Serious?](http://townsquare.media/site/180/files/2021/12/attachment-covid-test-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana Battling Skimmer Theft Surge, Law Enforcement Makes Arrests](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/02/attachment-Untitled-design-10.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Monthly Bills Are Cheapest in These 12 Louisiana Cities](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/03/attachment-Untitled-design-55.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Summer 2024: New Covid Variant Discovered In Texas, Here’s What We Know](http://townsquare.media/site/149/files/2024/05/attachment-covid1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![The Top 7 Best Restaurants for Steaks in Lafayette, Louisiana (According to Facebook)](http://townsquare.media/site/182/files/2020/04/RS4114_163736391.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Oddly-Named COVID Variant Making Its Way Into Louisiana for Possible ‘Summer Surge’, Experts Warn](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2020/08/GettyImages-1212257154.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Updated – Best ‘Under the Radar’ Plate Lunches in Acadiana](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2024/03/attachment-430064373_935552185240266_7487194874220493894_n.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Lafayette Police Identify Two Victims in Triple Homicide, Suspect Arrested](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2021/02/RS2668_91615624.jpg?w=980&q=75)