HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemorandum of Understanding with Ada County Sheriff's Office for SWAT
Ada Metro
Special Weapons and Tactics Team
Mutual Assistance Compact
Mutual Assistance Compact
THIS MUTUAL ASSISTANCE COMPACT made this first day of March
2005, by and between the Ada County Sheriff's Office and the Meridian
Police Department, is entered into for the purpose of establishing and
maintaining the Ada Metro Special Weapons and Tactics Team.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, cooperative partnerships among law enforcement
agencies increase the effectiveness and efficiency in responding to
emergency situations where a specially trained team is necessary; and,
WHEREAS, Idaho Code 67-2337(4) authorizes law enforcement
agencies to enter into mutual assistance agreements; and,
WHEREAS, the parties named above are in agreement that mutual
assistance among each other, in the form of a multi-agency emergency
response team, designated the Special Weapons and Tactics Team
(SWAT), will assist in the efforts oflaw enforcement to resolve serious
emergency situations and prevent potential injuries to citizens and
officers; and,
WHEREAS, this Mutual Assistance Compact will provide the
foundation for the operation of the Ada Metro SWAT Team.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and
covenants hereinafter contained, and the recitals set forth above, the
parties to this Memorandum of Understanding do hereby understand as
follows:
UNDERSTANDING
1.
Purpose and Mission
The primary purpose of the Ada Metro SWAT Team is the handling
of hazardous situations, which are beyond the normal operations of
patrol deputies/officers, investigators or other agencies that request
assistance. These hazardous situations require the need for special
tactics, equipment and/or weapons for a safe resolution.
2.
Functions of the SWAT Unit
SWAT shall be trained and equipped to handle the following types
of situations:
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1. Barricaded Suspects
2. Snipers
3. Hostage Situations
4. High-Risk Warrant Service (I.E. Drugs, Guns, Etc.)
5. Service Of Warrants On Heavily Fortified Locations
6. Civil Disturbances
7. Dignitary Protections
8. Searches For Armed Suspects
9. Institutional Insurrections
10. Other incidents of a similar nature but not specifically
defined.
3.
Effective Term and Method of Termination
This Mutual Assistance Compact will be effective for each calendar
year, beginning Janusary 1, 2005. It will automatically renew at the end
of each calendar year, unless terminated pursuant to these provisions.
Any party may terminate its involvement with the Ada Metro SWAT
Unit by providing thirty (30) days prior written notice to the SWAT
Commander.
4.
Financing
Each participating agency will provide necessary funding for the
operations of their personnel that are assigned to the Ada Metro SWAT
Team, in so far as each agency's budget allows. Such budgetary
determinations shall be made solely by each agency.
5.
Organizational Structure
A.
The SWAT Commander, who shall receive direction and input
from the Ada County Sheriff and the Meridian Police Chief, or
their designees, shall govern the Ada Metro SWAT Team.
B.
The Lead Agency in the Ada Metro SWAT Team shall be the
Ada County Sheriff's Office (ACSO). ACSO shall assign one (1)
Commander of the rank of Lieutenant or above to oversee the
functions of the Ada Metro SWAT Team.
C.
Meridian Police Department (MPD) will assign a minimum of
two (2) officers to the Ada Metro SWAT Team.
6.
Agency Responsibilities
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7.
A.
General Responsibilities:
1)
Provide and account for over time, compensatory time,
personal leave, sick leave, workman's compensation
insurance and other matters directly related to the
employment of their assigned officers; these issues shall
be governed by the personnel policies and procedures of
the member's agency.
2)
Provide their assigned law enforcement officer(s) with a
firearm, rifle, ammunition and related equipment, which
is approved by the member agency and suitable for law
enforcement work.
3)
Provide their assigned officer(s) any necessary equipment,
such as radio, ballistic vest(s) with identification vest
cover or other appropriate identification, and other
personal equipment such as flash light, eye protection,
helmet, etc.
B.
ACSO, as lead agency, will fulfill the following areas of
responsibility:
1)
Maintain records of expenditures and training, and
prepare any and all reports necessary to satisfy Federal
and State reporting requirements.
2)
Compile necessary statistics regarding deployments and
training, and prepare any and all reports necessary for
SWAT Operations.
3)
Provide functional supervision of officers assigned to the
SWAT Team from other agencies.
4)
Provide on the job documented, formal training for
newly assigned officers to the Ada Metro SWAT Team.
Ada Metro SWAT Team personnel
A.
The Ada Metro SWAT Team Commander shall be responsible
for the unit's operations, personnel, deployments and
activities. The Commander will direct the supervisors assigned
to the unit and will perform administrative duties related to
the management of all Ada Metro SWAT Team operations.
Specific duties of the Ada Metro SWAT Team Commander shall
be to:
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C.
1)
Establish policies and procedures for the Ada Metro
SWAT Team and present them to the participating
agencies for approval. Ensure all unit policies, procedures
and regulations are followed, and report any violations to
the respective agency.
2)
Ensure monthly reports are submitted to participating
agencies concerning the Ada Metro SWAT Team activities,
performances and funding issues.
3)
Approve the Ada Metro SWAT Team expenditures and
ensure they are necessary and legal.
4)
Address training needs of the Ada Metro SWAT Team
deputies/ officers.
5)
As needed, conduct meetings with participating member
agency heads or their designees and address concerns
brought forth.
6)
Resolve conflicts between the Ada Metro SWAT Team and
member agency policies and procedures.
B.
The Ada Metro SWAT Supervisor shall supervise the SWAT
activities of assigned members; conducts debriefs, and
address training and personnel issues; and ensure that SWAT
Officers adhere to the policies, procedures and regulations of
the Ada Metro SWAT Team. The Supervisor may offer verbal
counseling or retraining when necessary. Any form of
discipline shall be handled by the officer's agency through the
Ada Metro SWAT Team chain of command. The Supervisor
shall report directly to the Ada Metro SWAT Team Commander
for all issues relating to SWAT Team operations.
The Ada Metro SWAT Team deputies/officers shall adhere to
and follow policies, procedures and regulations as set forth in
the approved Ada Metro SWAT Team procedures manual and
in this agreement. Additionally, each deputy/officer is
required to:
1)
Conduct him/herself as a professional law enforcement
officer and adhere to established ethical standards in
the performance of duties.
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4)
8.
2)
Carry a firearm(s) while on a deployment, approved by
the department or Office from which assignments are
made. Each officer must qualify using the approved
firearm(s) at least one time annually;
3)
Immediately notify his/her supervisor if there is a
conflict between Ada Metro SWAT Team policy and
procedure and the policy and procedures of the
respective agency. The supervisor or the Ada Metro
SWAT Team Commander shall resolve these conflicts
before the conflicting action occurs.
Become familiar with and act within statutory
requirements. Extraterritorial authority of peace
officers. IC 67-2337 (see attached)
Personnel Issues
In the event of a complaint against an assigned officer, the
complaint shall be forwarded to that officer's employing agency for
investigation unless the Ada Metro SWAT Team Commander determines
the issue to be of such a minor nature that the Commander or
Supervisor can appropriately address it and take corrective action. A
continued, unresolved performance problem with an assigned officer will
be grounds for the Ada Metro SWAT Team Commander to request
replacement of the assigned officer through a recommendation to the
employing agency.
9.
Indemnification
Pursuant to and consistent with the terms IC 67-2337 (4), in the
event an officer assigned to the unit commits an act, either intentionally
or negligently, within the course and scope of his or her employment
which subjects the officer to liability for personal injury or property
damage, the governmental unit from which the assignment was made
shall assume such liability and will save and hold harmless and
indemnify all other governmental units (that are the signatories of this
agreement) from such liability, including costs, attorney fees and
damages rising therefrom.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have set their hands and
subscribed their names, the day, month and year in this agreement first
above written.
Dated thisÆ~ay of
/ha...d:.-
~~~
,2005
!j,~
WM. "BILL' MUSSER
Chief, Meridian Police Department
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