City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: December 3, 2024
From: Robert Sousa, Chief of Police
Department: Police
Submitted by: Nicholas Perez, Lieutenant - Patrol Division Subject
Mutual Aid Operational Plan Agreement
Recommendation
Approve and authorize the Chief of Police to execute a Mutual Aid Operational Plan Agreement, in substantially the same form as submitted.
Background
Under the provision of Sections 8615, 8617, and 8668 of the Government Code of the State of California, California Disaster and Civil Defense Master Mutual Aid Agreement, municipalities are allowed to enter into mutual aid and assistance agreements, which may include provisions for furnishing and exchanging of supplies, equipment, facilities, personnel, and services across jurisdictional lines. The proposed Mutual Aid Operational Plan Agreement ensures the coordination of public safety service efforts and encourages maximum participation between all law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies.
The Vernon Police Department (VPD), along with every other law enforcement agency in the State, is asked to enter into the State’s Form Mutual Aid Operational Plan Agreement (Mutual Aid Agreement) to provide for the sharing of resources, personnel, and equipment in the event of a major disaster, either natural or man-made. The Mutual Aid Agreement allows each participating public agency to furnish supplementary public safety services to the other public agencies signatory to this plan in the event of local peril, local emergency, local disaster, civil disturbance and such other occasions as may arise. The approved agreements are signed by the individual agencies and maintained by regional coordinators. The Mutual Aid Agreement is effective upon execution and remains in effect until terminated by the participating agency. The VPD is assigned to Area E of Region 1. The Los Angeles County Sheriff is the Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Coordinator for Region 1.
The provisions listed under Section 830.1(a) of the California Penal Code grant authority for any California peace officer to perform official duties in the jurisdiction of other cities. This agreement will allow VPD officers to perform their duties in cities throughout the State, and vice versa. Investigations conducted by the VPD often coincide with investigations being pursued within other jurisdictions in the State. An agreement pursuant to Penal Code Section 830.1(a) would benefit the City of Vernon as well as other law enforcement agencies in the State, allowing the agencies to work together to accomplish common goals.
The proposed agreement was reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Attachments
1. 2024 Mutual Aid Operational Plan Agreement