Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-156.1, there is hereby established a mutual
aid agreement with the Borough of Washington, County of Warren, New Jersey,
which shall become effective upon the adoption by the Borough of Washington
of a reciprocal ordinance to provide mutual police aid in case of emergency.
This agreement shall apply whenever the Township of Washington (hereinafter
referred to as "Township") may have an emergency within its boundaries requiring
additional police assistance to protect life and property, and whenever the
Borough of Washington (hereinafter referred to as "borough") may experience
a similar emergency.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
EMERGENCY
Includes situations in which the number of available police officers
in the Township or the borough is insufficient to meet the public need in
a particular situation.
The Chief or head of the Township Police Department and the Borough
Police Department shall jointly prepare written Standard Operating Procedures
(hereinafter referred to as the "SOP") which shall address procedures for
the day-to-day implementation of mutual police aid. A copy of the SOP, and
all amendments and revisions thereto, shall be filed with the police departments
and the respective clerks of each municipality and with the police dispatcher
for each municipality.
The Chief or head of the Police Department of the Township, or in his
or her absence the highest ranking officer in the chain of command, is hereby
authorized to request assistance from the Chief or other head of the Police
Department of the borough to provide aid in accordance with this agreement
and the SOP.
The Township Police Department shall provide assistance to the borough
when a valid request in accordance with this agreement and the SOP to supply
personnel is made to the extent possible without endangering persons or property
within the confines of the Township. The Township specifically reserves the
right to withdraw personnel or equipment if emergent conditions in the Township
so warrant. The decision of the Chief of Police, or in his or her absence
the highest ranking officer in the chain of command, with respect to the extent
and duration of aid to the borough which can be afforded without endangering
persons or property within the Township, shall be binding.
The Township shall assume the cost and expense of providing its personnel
and equipment to the borough pursuant to this agreement if the duration of
aid is eight man-hours or less or in instances in which the borough receives
state or federal aid by way of reimbursement. In circumstances in which the
duration of aid exceeds eight man-hours or where no state or federal aid is
available, the cost incurred shall be submitted to the borough for reimbursement.
Members of the police force of the Township suffering injury, or their
legal representatives if death results, while rendering assistance in the
borough shall be entitled to all such benefits they would have realized if
injury or death had occurred in the performance of normal duties in the Township,
such benefits to be provided by the Township.
So long as this agreement is in full force and effect, the borough shall
maintain general liability insurance in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 for
personal injury and $500,000 for property damage and liability insurance for
police enforcement activities in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 and shall
annually provide the Township with certificates of insurance showing said
insurance is in full force and effect.