COMM U N I T Y
BY: BILL MOAKLEY
Service Spotlight: Colt Franklin
L
ike the rest of us, the Norman Police Department has been battling a new foe, COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
The department recently turned to Officer Colt Franklin to head its safety response to the pandemic. Franklin brings experience and expertise as an EMT and paramedic to the department’s efforts to combat the virus. He is serving in the duel capacity of NPD’s safety officer, as well as filling the role for the Incident Command System’s Unified Response Team, a cooperative of local agencies including police, fire and medical that respond to large-scale disasters or threats. For Franklin, heading the response to COVID-19 began with education. “I was like everyone else, just watching it on the news,” Franklin said. “I had to dive in deep to find out what exactly this specific disease is and how I can keep our guys safe.” What Franklin quickly discovered was the importance of the little things in battling the virus. “We quickly set up stations with bleach and disinfectant so the guys can clean their cars and office spaces out every day,” Franklin said. “Really cleaning everything, every day is what we’re doing.” In addition, officers have personal protective equipment (PPEs) available for use in the field at their discretion. “Most of them wear gloves anyway because if we’re having to search someone we don’t know what they have on them,” Franklin pointed out. “We’ve issued masks. We are trying to maintain social distancing, keeping six feet away from people. Officers have been issued masks in the event it appears someone might be sick, or says they’ve tested positive.” While contact with the public is part of the routine in police work, some aspects that might normally be handled in-person have been moved online, Franklin said. Reports for some crimes are being handled by phone if possible, although not all can be handled through electronic communication. “Things such as domestic disturbance, we still have to go in-person, but we may be able to take a larceny report over the phone,” Franklin pointed out.
10 | May 2020
Franklin and department personnel are also being careful to file potential exposure reports in the event an officer contracts the virus. “If an officer goes out and they encounter someone who is coughing, let’s say. They put in an exposure report and I can track that to make sure if somebody does come up positive, I can trace it to where they were,” he explained. As infectious disease experts have pointed out, limiting outof-home activities is the best way Norman residents can assist with keeping infections down. “Staying at home is important,” Franklin emphasized. “If you have to go out, be mindful of social distancing. You know yourself better than anybody. If you’re not feeling well, stay at home.” A graduate of Kingfisher High School, Franklin is an Army veteran who served 15 months in Baghdad as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He’s a former EMT and paramedic and worked in both New York and Oklahoma. He joined the Norman Police Department in 2013. – BSM
