To: Board of Supervisors
From: Sheriff
SUBJECT:
title
Approval of Memorandum of Understanding between the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and the California State University-Humboldt State University Police for Crisis Response Cooperation
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors approve Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and California State University-Humboldt State University Police (HSUPD) for participation in the county's Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT), the Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT) and Tactical Dispatch (Attachment 1); authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors and the Humboldt County Sheriff to execute three (3) originals of the Agreement; authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors and the Humboldt County Sheriff to approve any extensions, amendments and modifications for the term of the Agreement; and direct the Clerk of the Board to return two (2) signed originals to the Sheriff’s Office.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Humboldt State University
DISCUSSION:
The Humboldt County Sheriff and Humboldt State University Chief of Police have long recognized that mutual aid and cooperation in response to a critical incident can be strengthened through collaboration. By combining tactical operators and specialized equipment, the Sheriff and university can properly and safely respond to dangerous and life threatening incidents throughout both jurisdictions. An MOU was developed to confirm the framework for this cooperative relationship (Attachment 1).
Upon the recommendation of the university's Chief of Police or his/her designee, any full time, non-probationary police officer or other qualified police staff member employed by the university who meet the Sheriff’s SWAT, CNT or Tactical Dispatch standards for physical agility and firearms qualifications, and are found to be suitable as a SWAT. CNT or tactical dispatch members, may apply to become a member of the Sheriffs crisis response unit.
The Sheriff will review the qualifications of applicants and determine the eligibility for membership solely in accordance with established selection procedures. Once qualified and approved for membership, these members will be considered full members of the Sheriff’s SWAT, CNT or Tactical Dispatch teams and will be known as HSUPD SWAT members, HSUPD CNT members, or HSUPD Tactical Dispatch members. The Sheriff or his/her designee has the sole discretion to determine the eligibility for SWAT, CNT or Tactical Dispatch membership.
Ongoing discussions with other local jurisdictions may result in future agreements between the Sheriff and the cities for further expanded membership in the crisis response unit. This MOU between the Sheriff’s Office and HSUPD will continue in force unless terminated per the terms of the agreement.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The Humboldt State University will be responsible for personnel costs and obligations associated with the staff that are assigned to the Sheriff’s SWAT, Sheriffs CNT or Sheriff’s Tactical Dispatch and any other related and/or associated personnel costs and obligations, including but not limited to training, base salary, overtime salary and fringe benefits, workers compensation and retirement benefits. The University will also be responsible for the purchase and maintenance of all necessary personal equipment.
The MOU will not require modification to the Sheriff’s Operations budget, not any additional General Fund allocation.
The HSUPD MOD meets the Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan by allowing the Sheriff's Office to enforce laws and regulations to protect the residents in both the county's jurisdiction and the university limits of Arcata.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Humboldt State University
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to approve the agreement between the County of Humboldt and the HSUPD for mutual crisis response services, however, this is not recommended as a denial of the proposed MOU could jeopardize public safety.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 - Memorandum of Understanding with the California State University-Humboldt State University Police for Participation in the Sheriff's Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT), Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT) and Tactical Dispatch
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A