A false COVID-19 claim has led to several charges being laid by the Chatham-Kent Police Service.
Police officials allege last month, police responded to a collision on John Street in Chatham.
“The driver, a 55-year-old woman collided with a parked car,” police officials alleged in a media release.
“Through investigation, a roadside test was administered and she was issued a three-day license suspension.”
Police officials added: “While police were dealing with the woman, her husband told the officers that she had been diagnosed with COVID-19 by her family physician. Police believe this statement was made in an attempt to alter the investigation.”
Both officers were immediately relieved of their duties and on the advice of Public Health were advised to self-isolate until further notice, police officials say.
“In addition, a cruiser and two portable radios were taken out of service due to the probability of COVID-19 contamination,” police officials say.
“The cruiser was cleaned and disinfected prior to being used again on the front line.”
Through investigation, police learned that the woman had not tested positive for COVID-19 and the officers were able to return to work seven days later, police officials added.
Const. Renee Cowell, public information officer for the Chatham-Kent Police Service, provided the following statement regarding the incident:
Yesterday, the 55-year-old Chatham man was arrested and charged with obstruct police, mischief and fraud under $5,000.
He was released pending a future court date of August 7, 2020.
