Policy
All MPD officers will be in enrolled in the department’s Respiratory Protective Equipment Program. Officers will go through a medical evaluation and a fit-testing procedure before being issued an Air Purifying Respirator (APR)/Gas Mask.
Only MPD-approved and issued APR’s/Gas Masks will be used by officers. Officers must have their MPD-issued APR/Gas Mask available at all times. Officers on patrol shall carry the APR/Gas Mask with them in their squad. Officers will use their APR/Gas Masks whenever they feel it is needed to protect themselves or when ordered to do so by a supervisor.
APR/Gas Masks will only protect the respiratory system against a limited number of hazards. Officers must keep in mind that many agents such as nerve gas, mustard gas, anthrax, small pox and chlorine gas, to name a few, can also enter a person’s system through contact with their skin or open wounds. Officers must keep these facts in mind when they are at a scene where chemical and/or biological agents may be present. Only a full chemical/biological suit can offer protection against most chemical/biological agents.
For the complete policy & procedure on the MPD’s Respiratory Protection Program, it can be found on the MPD Net under “Manuals.”