COVID-19 Precautions

In order to mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19 or other illnesses, the Bridging Communities Criminal Justice program has adopted the following precautions:

All staff, students, and visitors are expected to comply with the Center’s COVID-19 policies and procedures. The Criminal Justice classroom will be cleaned in accordance with the Center’s cleaning procedures. These precautions are in addition to existing expectations set by the Center.

1) Personal Protective Equipment

a. All individuals in the program shall practice social distancing by maintaining a distance of six feet between one another whenever possible.

b. In the event training or classroom activities require closer contact, the maximum amount of distance between individuals shall be maintained.

c. To limit potential exposures, students shall work with the same partners or small groups.

d. While wearing required masks or face coverings the individual shall ensure the nose and mouth are covered.

e. All participants shall engage in regular hand washing when practical and regular use of appropriate hand sanitizers.

f. Students are required to wipe down desk areas at the start and end of every course.

2) Practical and Hands-On Training

a. Approved face coverings and masks shall be worn in the appropriate manner at all times when close proximity to others is required for an activity.

b. All participants are required to properly wash their hands before and after an activity requiring person-to-person contact or shared equipment. If proper hand washing with soap and water is not feasible, then proper hand sanitizer shall be used until hand washing is possible.

c. Activities involving close proximity will be broken into 45 minute portions to minimize contact and allow for proper hand washing and interim cleaning of equipment. Students will have a brief 10-minute break in order to wash their hands and replace personal protective equipment.

d. When possible, students shall use the same piece of equipment for an entire class period.

e. If equipment must be shared it will be properly wiped with disinfectant before the next participant utilizes the piece of equipment.

f. When not required to be in close proximity, participants shall maintain the minimum six feet of distance between other people.

3) Classroom and Equipment Cleaning

a. The classroom will be regularly cleaned in accordance with the Center policy.

b. Equipment used by participants shall be properly cleaned before and after the class period.

c. Students shall ensure desk areas are wiped down with disinfectant at the beginning and ending of each class period.

d. If an individual utilizes a shared piece of equipment they shall ensure the item is properly wiped with disinfectant after using it.

4) Additional Personal Protective Equipment and Alternative Assessments

a. In the case a student believes it is necessary, the student may utilize additional personal protective equipment such as disposable gloves. Disposable gloves shall be frequently changed to minimize cross contamination. It is important to remember that use of gloves does not replace appropriate hand washing.

b. Students that do not feel they are able to safely complete an activity that requires close proximity may opt for an alternative activity/assessment. This alternative activity/assessment will measure the same required knowledge and skills in a manner that provides additional mitigation against the spread of illnesses.