Here’s an update from Prince William police:
*UPDATE: Our first rotation team has arrived safely in Puerto Rico, pictured below with the Chief of Police for the Fajardo region. Officers are currently getting set-up in their lodging accommodations and will be sworn-in tomorrow morning before working their first shift. Our team will be on 12-hour shift working traffic posts and serving as back-up units on patrol.
Individuals from the Prince William County Police Department and the Prince William County Department of Emergency Management have deployed officers to Puerto Rico.
According to a release, they are headed down to Puerto Rico to assist first responders in the area with recovery efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Maria.
“Today, the first rotation of eight officers will fly to the region for a 14-day assignment. Two additional rotations of eight officers are scheduled for staggered deployment over the next six-weeks. In preparation for this assignment, over 100 officers on the Department volunteered to assist in this effort knowing conditions were less than desirable in the area. This tremendous, overwhelming response demonstrates our officer’s willingness and selflessness to help others in time of need,” stated a release,
But this is not the time the Prince William police have been called in to assist with incidents like this. Back in 2005, members of the department were sent to Mississippi and Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina and Rita.