After Governor Jay Inslee announced a statewide mandate for face coverings last week, law enforcement agencies such as the Washington State Patrol and the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office have both released statements claiming they cannot mandate this directive to detain, cite or arrest violators as it’s considered a “public health and safety measure.”

“The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office has not cited, detained, or arrested any citizen because of recent health directives issued by the State of Washington or the Kitsap County Health District and will continue to focus on education and partnership with our community to respond to the public health crisis,” a KCSO statement reads. “We encourage all citizens of Kitsap County to make safety-focused decisions and follow health-based directives from state and local officials in order to facilitate our community’s ability to safely and swiftly move forward with the return to social and economic normalcy.”

“WSP will continue to communicate with and encourage all Washingtonians to make safety-focused decisions and follow all health-based directives from the Governor as well as state and local health officials,” a WSP statement reads. “We trust our residents, businesses, elected leaders, health officials, and each other to do what is necessary during this unique time of shared medical vulnerability and gradual return to social and economic normalcy.”