DATE: 06/18/2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Police Department
2025-206
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBJECT:
AUTHORIZE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) BETWEEN THE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, DRUG ENFORCEMENT
ADMINISTRATION (DEA) AND THE CITY OF CORONA POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR
PARTICIPATION IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DRUG TASK FORCE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This staff report asks Council to authorize a Memorandum of Understanding between the United States Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration and the Corona Police Department to participate in the Southern California Drug Task Force as part of the Los Angeles High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program. This task force is intended to ensure well-coordinated narcotic enforcement in Southern California, specifically targeting the Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties area.
Participation in this task force will provide CPD with direct assistance on illicit drug traffic, intelligence gathering, and support in activities that result in effective prosecution.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council:
a. Authorize the City Manager, or their designee, to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United States Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the City of Corona Police Department to participate in the Southern California Drug Task Force. b. Authorize the City Manager, or their designee, to enter into an Addendum to the MOU between the DEA, and the City of Corona Police Department to participate in the Southern California Drug Task Force for the reimbursement of joint operations expenses from the Treasury Forfeiture Fund.
c. Authorize the City Manager, or their designee, to approve the ongoing continuance of overtime expense reimbursement from the MOU with the DEA in an amount not to exceed the sum equivalent to 25% of the salary of a GS-12, for a Task Force Officer valid through September 30, 2029.
d. Authorize the City Manager, or their designee, to approve the ongoing continuance of the MOU and the Addendum to the MOU with the DEA through September 30, 2029.
BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
The Los Angeles High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) is a program that provides resources to federal, state, local, and tribal agencies to coordinate activities to address drug trafficking in specific areas of the country. The HIDTA program has identified that trafficking in narcotics and dangerous drugs exists in the Los Angeles High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties) and that such illegal activity has a substantial and detrimental effect on the health and general welfare of the people of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
The Corona Police Department has previously participated in similar task forces, including the Inland Commercial Enforcement and Financial Interdiction Team (ICEFIT) Task Force operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which was approved by the City Council on August 20, 2014.
ANALYSIS:
Participation is requested of the Corona Police Department (CPD) by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to join the Southern California Drug Task Force, which is intended to ensure well-coordinated narcotic enforcement in Southern California. The Task Force will focus on disrupting illicit drug traffic in the LA-HIDTA area by immobilizing targeted violators and trafficking organizations, gathering and reporting intelligence data relating to trafficking in narcotics and dangerous drugs, and conducting undercover operations and other traditional methods of investigation to result in effective prosecution.
The MOU provides for the commitment of one (1) experienced Officer, Corporal, or Detective (Officer) to the Southern California Drug Task Force for a period of not less than two years. During this period of assignment, the Corona Police Officer will be under the direct supervision and control of DEA supervisory personnel assigned to the task force.
The MOU establishes that the Corona Police Department will remain responsible for establishing the salaries and benefits, including overtime, of the officer assigned to the task force. HIDTA will, subject to the availability of annually appropriated funds, reimburse the Corona Police Department for overtime payments incurred by its Task Force Officer in an amount not to exceed a sum equivalent to 25% of the salary of a GS-12, Step 1 of the general pay scale for the rest of the United States; as of 5/30/25 the amount is $18,926.50.
The DEA will provide support, including office space, office supplies, travel funds, funds for the purchase of evidence and information, investigative equipment, training, and other support items.
The CPD is able to participate in this task force due to the re-assignment of personnel and current adequate staffing levels. Additionally, since the MOU agreements are effective upon signature of the DEA and at least one other agency, they will remain in effect until participating agencies enter a new MOU, revise this MOU, or rescind this MOU.
The MOU will be effective until September 30, 2026, with the option for either party to terminate on 30 days advance written notice. A new MOU must be signed every year, and staff is requesting authorization for the Chief of Police to sign subsequent MOUs between the CPD and the DEA if there are no substantial changes to the language, through September 30, 2029.
Joining this task force is supported in the City of Corona Strategic Plan Goal 4 – Safe Community, by enhancing the police department’s ability to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and gather intelligence to respond to drug trafficking activities that impact Corona.
Furthermore, joining the task force is supported by Goal 6 – High-Performing Government, by promoting collaboration between law enforcement agencies, and allows the police department to leverage shared resources and expertise to more effectively address drug trafficking issues that affect Corona.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with the recommended action. The Police Department will reassign duties internally.
If funding is available, DEA will reimburse for overtime expense in an amount not to exceed a sum equivalent to 25% of the salary of a GS-12, Step 1 of the general pay scale, currently (2025) $18,926.50. Overtime reimbursement may increase if the GS-12 pay scale increases.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
No environmental review is required because the proposed action is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act.
PREPARED BY: JASON PEREZ, POLICE LIEUTENANT
REVIEWED BY: ROBERT NEWMAN, CHIEF OF POLICE
ATTACHMENTS:
1. EXHIBIT 1 – MOU WITH DEA LA HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREA (HIDTA)
2. EXHIBIT 2 – ADDENDUM TO THE MOU WITH DEA LA HIGH INTENSITY DRUG
TRAFFICKING AREA (HIDTA)