HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-7 Staff Report - ESGV SWAT 2024CONSENT ITEM
E-7
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER
FROM: ROCKY WENRICK, CHIEF OF POLICE
DATE: MARCH 4, 2024
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN AZUSA PD AND THE EAST SAN
GABRIEL VALLEY REGIONAL SWAT TEAM
BACKGROUND
It is recognized that the presence of a highly trained and skilled tactical unit has been shown to reduce the
risk of injury or death to citizens, police officers and suspects. It is also recognized that a well-managed
team response to critical incidents beyond the scope and training of patrol officers and detectives usually
results in the successful resolution of those events. To this end, it is the intent of the participating cities,
to include the City of Azusa, as well as future potential member cities to pool certain resources whenever
personnel, facilities and equipment are reasonably available and create a regional tactical team. This unit
will service all the member agencies and their respective communities to help resolve critical incidents as
they arise and will be named the East San Gabriel Valley Special Weapons and Tactics Team, also known
herein as "ESGV SWAT".
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Staff recommends that the City Council take the following action:
1)Approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Azusa Police Department and the ESGV
SWAT Team.
Approved
City Council
March 4, 2024
EAST SAN GABRIEL VALLEY SWAT
Page 2
ANALYSIS
The ESGV SWAT Team shall be governed by the Chiefs of Police of the member agencies, or their
designees. Generally, they shall provide operational governance and supervision of the mutual aid and
cooperation, and administration of the ESGV SWAT Team as set forth in a Memorandum of
Understanding and shall make all decisions based on concurrence of at-least a majority of the Chiefs, or
their designees, after providing, wherever reasonably possible, an opportunity for all member Chiefs, or
their designees, to be involved in any and all such decisions.
Each city shall be solely liable for any claim, loss, or damages to non-member third parties for personal
injury and/or death including, with limitation, attorney fees and costs, arising out of acts or omissions of
that city’s own employees who are members of, or who participate in support of the ESGV SWAT Team.
The city requesting the response of the ESGV SWAT Team shall in all cases be solely liable for any claim,
loss, or damages for property damage to third parties including, without limitation, attorney fees and costs,
arising out of the activities of the ESGV SWAT Team.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this agreement, the parties hereto specifically agree that in the
event of an injury, illness or death to any duly assigned city employee member of the ESGV SWAT Team,
or damage or loss of any type to the property of a member city, arising out of the participation in the
training or operations of the ESGV SWAT Team, the assigning city shall indemnify, defend and hold
harmless the other cities, and such cities' officials, offices, agents and employees from any and all such
demands, claims, or liabilities arising there from including, without limitation, those which constitute a
workers compensation claim.
In connection with any claim, injury or property damage for which a member city is obligated to indemnify
and defend another member city or cities, such indemnifying city shall indemnify, defend and hold
harmless other member cities, and such agencies' officials, officers, agents and employees from any and
all demands, claims or liabilities of any nature arising out of the incident giving rise to the defense and
indemnification obligation. In such cases, each member city shall use its best efforts to cooperate and
assist in such a defense, except to the extent that such cooperation and assistance could, in the opinion of
the member city's City Attorney, be reasonably expected to prejudice the legal interests of that indemnified
and defended member city. Each party hereto shall at all times maintain in full force and effect workers
compensation insurance and compliance with applicable law and adequate liability insurance or legally
adequate self-insurance to cover its activities hereunder.
EAST SAN GABRIEL VALLEY SWAT
Page 3
FISCAL IMPACT
The ESGV SWAT Team does not have its own budget. Each agency will be responsible for overtime
expenses, base salary, benefits, and other personnel costs for their participating employees resulting from
training and call-outs. Each agency will provide their participating personnel with the requisite safety
equipment, which is set forth in the policy and procedures of the ESGV SWAT Team. Replacement costs
of expendable items used during training and/or call-outs will be shared equally only if the value of
expendable items was contributed equally. A detailed accounting of such items will be maintained and a
written statement of costs incurred will be submitted for payment. Funding for SWAT activities is already
included in the FY2023-24 Public Safety budget.
Prepared by: Reviewed by:
Nick Covarrubias Rocky Wenrick
Sergeant Chief of Police
Reviewed and Approved by:
Sergio Gonzalez
City Manager
Attachment:
1. East San Gabriel Valley SWAT Memorandum of Understanding
Attachment 1