NCJ Number
213244
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 73 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2006 Pages: 26-28,30,32
Date Published
February 2006
Length
6 pages
Annotation
In discussing the role of law enforcement agencies in planning and implementing public health quarantines that result from man-made and natural disasters, this article addresses legal authority, planning, preparation, and training.
Abstract
In an emergency that requires the quarantine of portions of an area's population, most courts would find authority for law enforcement agencies to enforce a government-mandated quarantine under both Federal and State constitutions. Once legal authority for the enforcement of a quarantine has been established, planning for the use of this authority has priority. Planning should address the boundaries of the quarantine, the nature and extent of enforcement measures, the resources required, and preparation and training content and procedures. The section of this article that discusses preparation for the quarantine focuses on the deployment of personnel and equipment, command and control, communications, who is to initiate the quarantine measures, cooperation with other agencies, public cooperation, detention facilities for quarantine violators and looters, and the management of medical contingencies. A brief section on training advises that all departmental personnel should be involved in training relevant to their particular jobs. Joint training should include all of the agencies that will participate in the quarantine effort, including public health agencies.