[Adopted 10-18-1994 by Ord.
No. 94-16]
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-156.1, there is hereby established a mutual
aid agreement with the Township of Mansfield, County of Warren, State of New
Jersey, which shall become effective upon the adoption by the Township of
Mansfield 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 Township of Mansfield (hereinafter referred to as "Mansfield") may experience
a similar emergency.
For purposes of this article, the term "emergency" shall be broadly
defined and shall include situations in which the number of available police
officers in the Township or in Mansfield is insufficient to meet the public
need in a particular situation. The Chief or head of the Township Police Department
and the Mansfield 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 their respective Township Clerks of each municipality
and with the police dispatcher for each municipality, and, when applicable,
Warren County 911.
The Chief or the head of 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 Mansfield
Police Department to provide aid in accordance with this agreement and the
SOP.
The Township Police Department shall provide assistance to Mansfield
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 officer in the chain of command with respect to the extent and
duration of aid to Mansfield which can be afforded without endangering persons
or property within the Township shall be binding.
A.Â
The members of the Township's Police Department supplying
aid shall have the same powers, authority, rights and immunities as the members
of the police force of the Mansfield Police Department when aid is being rendered
therein; however, the highest ranking officer of the Mansfield Police Department
present at the scene shall assume command.
B.Â
The members of the Mansfield Police Department supplying
aid shall have the same powers, authority, rights and immunities as the members
of the police force of the Township when aid is being rendered therein; however,
the highest ranking officer of the Township present at the scene shall assume
command.
The Township shall assume the cost and expense for providing its personnel
and equipment to Mansfield pursuant to this agreement if the duration of aid
is eight man-hours or less or in instances in which the Township 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 Mansfield for reimbursement.
Members of the police force of the Township suffering injury, or their
legal representatives, if death results, while rendering assistance in Mansfield
shall be entitled to all such benefits they would have realized if injury
or death had incurred 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, Mansfield 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.
