Chelan County Sheriff Weighs In On Local Law Enforcement Role in COVID Mandates

Masks, restrictions and a new code of conduct has been both advised and mandated by Governor Jay Inslee as COVID-19 cases surge.

Chelan County Sheriff Brian Burnett discussed the local law enforcement's role in enforcing the mandate from the state.

Sheriff Burnett, Wenatchee Police Chief Steve Crown, Douglas County Sheriff Kevin Morris, Okanogan Sheriff Tony Hawley and East Wenatchee Police Chief Rick Johnson met to release a joint statement.

"We didn't look at this as a public safety issue, this was a public health issue," said Sheriff Burnett.

With the latest closure, Sheriff Burnett stated the department isn't enforcing masking and discourages folks to call the sheriff's office or RiverCom to report large gatherings.