Policy Text
MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT AND LIAISON WITH OTHER AGENCIES
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/01/05 STANDARD NO. 071 REVISED: 08/14/17
REPLACES: N/A Rev. 09/30/11
OBJECTIVE: To establish policy and criteria for mutual aid agreements and to formulate
directions for instituting and maintaining effective channels of communication
between the Homestead Police Department (HPD), other police agencies, and
social service agencies.
POLICY: It is the policy of HPD to maintain current mutual aid agreements with other
agencies to ensure that the citizenry of Homestead receives the most efficient
and effective law enforcement possible and to establish and maintain liaison with
those federal, state, and local enforcement/social service agencies that service
the jurisdiction of HPD.
SCOPE: All employees of this Department shall be governed by the procedures set forth
below.
I. DEFINITIONS:
A. Mutual aid: An exchange of services, personnel, and/or equipment between law
enforcement agencies during times of emergency.
B. Mutual aid agreements: An agreement between law enforcement agencies categorized
in two (2) types of agreements.
1. Voluntary cooperative agreement: A written agreement between two (2) or more
law enforcement agencies which permits voluntary cooperation and assistance of
a routine law enforcement nature across jurisdictional lines. The agreement shall
specify the nature of the law enforcement assistance to be rendered, which
agency shall bear any liability arising from acts undertaken per the agreement,
and any other terms and conditions necessary. Compensation or reimbursement
to the assisting agency shall be as provided in the agreement, pursuant to FS 23.
2. Operational assistance agreement: A written agreement between two (2) or more
law enforcement agencies evidencing a request by one (1) agency, and
agreement by the others, for the rendering of assistance in specified law
enforcement intensive situations including emergencies under FS 252. The
agreement shall specify the nature of the law enforcement assistance rendered,
which agency shall bear any liability arising from acts undertaken per the
agreement, and any other terms and conditions necessary, including a definite
time limitation. Compensation or reimbursement to the assisting agency shall be
as provided in the agreement, pursuant to FS 23.
C. Concurrent jurisdiction: A geographical area upon which HPD and another law
enforcement agency both have full jurisdiction.
II. GENERAL:
Mutual Aid Agreement and Liaison with Other Agencies – SOP# 071
A. A deputy sheriff or police officer of either of the participating law enforcement agencies
shall be considered to be operating under the provisions of the mutual aid agreement
when:
1. Participating in law enforcement activities that are preplanned and approved by
each respective agency head; or
2. Appropriately dispatched in response to a request for assistance from the other
law enforcement agency.
B. In compliance with and under the authority of the Mutual Aid Agreement heretofore
entered into by The City of Homestead and Miami-Dade County, Florida, it is hereby
declared that the following list comprises the circumstances and conditions under which
mutual aid may be requested and rendered regarding police operations pursuant to the
agreement. Said list may be amended or supplemented from time to time as needs
dictate by subsequent declarations.
1. Joint multi-jurisdictional criminal investigations.
2. Civil affray or disobedience, disturbances, riots, large protest demonstrations,
controversial trials, political conventions, labor disputes, and strikes.
3. Any natural disaster.
4. Incidents which require rescue operations and crowd and traffic control
measures including, but not limited to, large-scale evacuations, aircraft and
shipping disasters, fires, explosions, gas line leaks, radiological incidents, train
wrecks and derailments, chemical or hazardous waste spills, and electrical power
failures.
5. Terrorist activities including, but not limited to, acts of sabotage.
6. Escapes from or disturbances within detention facilities.
7. Hostage and barricaded subject situations, and aircraft piracy.
8. Control of major crime scenes, area searches, perimeter control, back-ups to
emergency and in-progress calls, pursuits, and missing person calls.
9. Enemy attack.
10. Transportation of evidence requiring security.
11. Major events (i.e., sporting events, concerts, parades, fairs, festivals, and
conventions).
12. Security and escort duties for dignitaries.
13. Emergency situations in which one (1) agency cannot perform its functional
objective.
Mutual Aid Agreement and Liaison with Other Agencies – SOP# 071