El Paso County Sheriff’s Office explains why some deputies aren’t wearing masks

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- Two El Paso County Sheriff's deputies were seen without a mask while responding to a call near Palmer Park last Tuesday.

Simon Vasiliades sent KRDO several pictures of the incident, saying it's "not fine with me." This comes as workers are required to wear masks when interacting with clients or customers, per the governor's safer-at-home order.

The El Paso County Sheriff's Office responded to Vasiliades' concerns over Facebook after he sent them the photos.

"The Sheriff's Office is trying to balance public safety with public health within the new challenges of COVID-19 has presented," the message says. "Every call for service and traffic stops are different and officer safety is paramount. When deputies are sent to a call for service or perform a traffic stop, and putting on gloves, masks, or safety glasses would delay them or cause an officer safety issue, they will not be required to wear them."

Jacqueline Kirby, media relations manager for the Sheriff's Office, told KRDO, "It's a split-second decision."

In this situation, Vasiliades says deputies explained they were to trying to deescalate a situation.

"There was a young boy with mental disabilities who was going to go into the road and everything."

Under those circumstances Kirby explains, "perhaps you have somebody who has some mental health issues and the mask is very much a barrier and a trigger for that individual."

Deputies are currently not required to wear a mask, but the Sheriff's Office says they are highly encouraging their employees to wear one.

Kirby says other complaints against deputies not wearing masks have come in, but asks the public for patience while they investigate the reasons why.

"It's very much a judgement call on the deputy's part. 'Is this going to compromise officer or citizen safety, or is it going to enhance it or make things safer for both the deputy and the citizen?'" Kirby explains.

"It's why we are looking these on a case by case basis and addressing it when it needs to be addressed. We did not take this gentleman's complaint lightly," she says.

Watch the full story on Newschannel 13 at 6 p.m.