A sheriff in the US state of Florida has forbidden his officers from wearing a mouth mask. Citizens who visit the police station are also prohibited from wearing a mouth mask.
The police officer believes it is essential that “everyone remains recognizable” and that “communication can take place smoothly”.
Billy Woods is a Marion County sheriff and doesn’t believe in the use of face masks.
The police officer sent an email to his 900 employees on Tuesday with the following message: “Anyone who is employed by me will no longer wear a mouth mask”.
Sheriff Woods said he was studying the use of a mouth mask. Woods concludes that wearing a mouth mask offers no added value. “Half of the experts find wearing a mouth mask unhelpful,” said the Marion County police officer.
Citizens who enter the police station are also prohibited from wearing a mouth mask.
The Marion County sheriff refers to the Black Lives Matter rallies against racism and police brutality to bolster his position: “Citizens must remain recognizable”.