To: Board of Supervisors
From: Sheriff
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
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Approval of Memoranda of Understanding Between the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office and the City of Rio Dell for SWAT, Crisis Negotiations and Tactical Dispatch Services
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve and authorize the Chair of the Board, Mike Wilson, and Sheriff William Honsal to execute the Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) between the County of Humboldt, through the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, and the City of Rio Dell establishing cooperative Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) and Tactical Dispatch operational relationships (Attachments 1); and
2. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return fully executed copies to the Sheriff's Office for distribution to participating partner agencies.
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STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board's Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Safe & Healthy Communities
Strategic Plan Category: 1001 -Support and sustain partnerships between public safety and partner agencies to enhance public safety in our communities
DISCUSSION:
The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office maintains a countywide Crisis Response Unit composed of the SWAT), the CNT and Tactical Dispatch personnel. These components respond to critical incidents involving imminent threats to life, including hostage events, armed and barricaded suspects, active shooter situations, sniper threats and other life-threatening emergencies.
Local law enforcement agencies in Humboldt County rely on shared resources and mutual aid to provide an effective tactical response capability. In December 2025, your board approved MOUs with the cities of Arcata, Eureka and Fortuna, and Cal Poly Humboldt. Before your Board today is the MOU for the City of Rio Dell. All the partner agencies employ qualified personnel who can be trained, selected and assigned to serve a...
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