Local motor officer discusses heat safety

Scorching temperatures and warm summer months may soon come to an end. However, the risks of heat-related illnesses will remain present in the Desert Southwest.

Motor officer Jarvis Powell with the Yuma Police Department said the police department is prioritizing officer safety by educating them on the fundamentals of working outdoors in warm weather.

“We stay out for at least an hour,” Officer Powell said. “We come back in for at least 15 minutes. If we can’t make it back up to the station, we try and stop at a local gas station [to cool off.]”

Officials said heat-related illnesses are not unusual for Yuma’s officers, which is why they approach the job as motor officers with caution.

“I try and make sure I stay hydrated,” Officer Powell said. “The police department does a good job of educating us on what to expect and what to look out for.”