HomeMy WebLinkAbout2A - Lexington Police Department Jurisdiction
Policy & Procedure Page 1 of 17
Lexington Police
Department
Subject:
Lexington Police Department
Jurisdiction
Policy Number:
2A Accreditation Standards:
Reference: 2.1.1; 2.1.2; 41.1.1
Effective Date:
5/1/10
New
Revised
Revision
Dates:
1/24/19
By Order of: Mark J. Corr, Chief of Police
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND GUIDELINES
The Lexington Police Department is the principal provider of law enforcement and
related services in the Town of Lexington. However, within the geographical
boundaries of Lexington, there are numerous state and federal agencies, which have
concurrent law enforcement jurisdiction with the Lexington Police Department.
In order to avoid confusion caused by overlapping or ambiguous jurisdictions, this policy
will identify each agency that shares law enforcement responsibilities with our
Department. The terms of any interagency agreement shall also be provided in this
policy.
This policy also identifies how officers who have a question on a specific town line
boundary issue can resolve such matters. These boundary locations can now be
obtained on the Town of Lexington Website under the Lexington Online GIS Viewer.
This service provides aerial photographs, lot locations, measurements and much more.
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PROCEDURES
A. JURISDICTION
1. The legal jurisdiction of the Lexington police department is restricted to
the boundaries of the town of Lexington (as illustrated in the attachments
below) except in cases of:
a. Fresh and continued pursuit;
b. Arrest warrants; and
c. Mutual Aid or Transferred Authority.
2. The following is a list of agencies that have concurrent law enforcement
jurisdiction with the Town of Lexington:
a. Massachusetts State Police;
b. M.B.T.A. Police;
c. Department of Environmental Management; and
d. Federal law enforcement agencies including the:
i. Security Forces Hanscom AFB
ii. U.S. Park Rangers; and
i. Others as authorized by federal law.
3. Any arrest outside the Town of Lexington shall be made in compliance
with Department policies and procedures. Any questions relative to
extra territorial arrests or concurrent jurisdiction should be directed to
the Commanding Officer.
B. JURISDICTION – STATE AGENCIES
1. Department of State Police
M.G.L. Chapter 147, section 2 gives State Police Officers all the power
and authority of Constables (with no authority to serve civil processes)
throughout the Commonwealth.
2. Interagency Agreement: The following standing practice, as reinforced
from time-to-time through agreements with State Police commanders
responsible for this region, and/or the Secretary of Public Safety and
Security provide:
a. Town of Lexington including the motorist service area on Routes
95-128 (excluding the physical roadway of Routes 2 and 95 -
128);
i. The Lexington Police Department will handle calls for
service and investigate crimes, which come to their
attention.
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ii. Serious crime investigations initiated by the Lexington
Police Department will be coordinated on a case-by-case
basis. The Department shall also notify a representative of
the District Attorney's Office in any instance involving death
by violence or unnatural causes.
b. Routes 2 and 95-128:
i. Emergencies and Traffic Accidents: The Lexington Police
Department will immediately notify the State Police by
telephone or by radio (AREAWIDE 3) when these situations
arise. The Lexington Police Department will also respond
to the scene. If State Police Officers are not immediately
available, Lexington officers will secure the scene and give
aid to any injured persons. Criminal and accident
investigations will be conducted if it is determined that a
State Police Officer is unavailable to investigate.
ii. Routine Service Calls: The Lexington Police Department
will notify the State Police by telephone of any routine
service call. If a potentially hazardous situation exists, or
when a State Police Officer is unavailable, the Lexington
Police will respond and provide assistance.
iii. Patrol: It is the policy of the Lexington Police Department to
avoid routine or regular patrol of limited access highways by
patrol officers. This policy is not meant to prevent officers
from checking the highways for disabled motorists,
particularly during hazardous weather conditions, or when a
threshold inquiry or criminal investigation is justified.
3. Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority
a. Chapter 664 of the Acts of 1968 (amended) gives officers
appointed by the M.B.T.A. all the powers of a Constable (with no
authority to serve civil processes) "within the territorial limits of
the authority" (this includes Lexington).
b. Concurrent Jurisdiction. The Lexington Police Department will
not typically defer jurisdiction on any matter within the Town of
Lexington to the M.B.T.A. Police but shall provide appropriate
notification when incidents involve M.B.T.A. buses or other
M.B.T.A property.
c. It is the policy of the MBTA Transit Police Department to
investigate crimes that occur on MBTA property. Lexington will
cooperate fully with MBTA during an investigation.
d. If an accident involves an MBTA bus or vehicle, the MBTA Police
shall be notified by phone. If they cannot respond or cannot
respond within a timely manner the Lexington Police Department
shall handle the accident investigation.
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4. Department of Environmental Management
a. M.G.L. Chapter 21, section 6A gives Environmental Police
Officers appointed by the Department of Environmental
Management the authority to enforce all penal laws pertinent to
the affairs of the agency.
b. Concurrent Jurisdiction: The Lexington Police Department shall
not normally defer jurisdiction on any matter within the Town of
Lexington to the Department of Environmental Management; and
c. The Department of Environmental Management shall be notified
at once by telephone (as required by M.G.L. Chapter 21, section
6) whenever a person is presumed to be lost in any of the
woodlands of the Commonwealth.
5. There are other agencies within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
with a wide variety of law enforcement responsibilities. It is unlikely that a
concurrent jurisdictional issue will arise with any agency not listed in this
policy. Any matter, which cannot be resolved by this policy, should be
brought to the attention of the Chief of Police.
C. JURISDICTION – FEDERAL AGENCIES
1. Hanscom Air Force Base- Security Forces
a. The United States Air Force exercises federal law enforcement
authority in Lexington within the boundaries of Hanscom Air
Force Base (H.A.F.B). This authority overlaps the jurisdiction of
the Lexington Police Department in three areas:
i. Gate 4 and Barksdale St. to the intersection of Kirkland St.
(Barksdale St. is the H.A.F.B. extension of Hartwell Ave.);
ii. Building 1312 and surrounding area (located opposite the
Katahdin Woods Apartments); and
iii. Buildings 1122, 1124, 1126, 1127, 1128, 1138, 1140, 1141,
1142, 1160 and the surrounding area (Lincoln Lab and MIT
area located inside of Gate 3 off Wood St.).
iv. See attachments below for mapping.
2. Hanscom -- There are three (3) types of jurisdictional situations; they are:
a. Exclusive Federal Jurisdiction. The United States Air Force has
exclusive jurisdiction within the boundaries of H.A.F.B. in those
areas not named below.
b. Concurrent Jurisdiction. The United States Air Force and the
Lexington Police Department have concurrent jurisdiction at Gate
4 and Barksdale St. (section 1-a above).
c. Exclusive Lexington Jurisdiction with Federal Government having
"Proprietary Interest." The Lexington Police Department has
exclusive jurisdiction over the MIT and Lincoln Lab facilities listed
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in section 1-b & 1-c above. The United States Air Force may take
measures to prevent problems but have limited enforcement
authority. This is particularly true with the civilian personnel
working in those areas.
d. Interagency Agreement: The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office
established a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with
H.A.F.B. and the Lexington, Concord, Bedford and Lincoln police
departments. See the MOU language at the end of this policy.
The key issues are:
i. Lexington Police, through changes in State and Federal
law, has jurisdiction to enforce the laws of the
Commonwealth in exclusive Federal jurisdiction areas as
long as the Department is invited onto the property by the
66th Security Forces Squadron or Judge Advocate’s office.
ii. Lexington will likely be called upon to enforce Operating
Under the Influence (OUI) of alcohol violations, domestic
violence and juvenile crimes. These types of offenses are
difficult to address in Federal courts. In the interest of
fairness and justice, HAFB may relinquish their primary
investigation role to the local police authority.
iii. The following are general guidelines:
(a) GATE 4 -- BARKSDALE ST. (HARTWELL AVE)
(1) Lexington Police Department will handle calls
for service and investigate crimes and MV
offenses that occur on Lexington roadways
and areas leading to H.A.F.B. (even when the
offender may be stopped at Gate 4).
(2) The Lexington Police Department will render
assistance when requested by the 66th
Security Forces Squadron, including the
making of arrests or issuance of criminal
citations for offenses occurring in Lexington.
(b) MIT & LINCOLN LAB
(1) The Lexington Police Department shall defer to
the 66th SFS the day-to-day responsibility for
securing and protecting the MIT and Lincoln Lab
facilities.
(2) As appropriate, the 66th SFS and other federal
agencies shall also investigate crimes and
provide other services.
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(3) When requested, the Lexington Police
Department will investigate crimes that occur in
our jurisdiction, which occur on MIT and Lincoln
Lab facilities.
(c) Criminal Process & Restraining Orders. The
procedures for serving warrants, summonses,
restraining orders or other legal orders are outlined
in Chapter 73C - Legal Process Handling.
3. National Park Service
a. Park Rangers exercise federal law enforcement authority within
the boundaries of the Minuteman National Park. The Lexington
Police Department has full authority to enforce the General Laws
of Massachusetts within the park.
b. The Lexington Police Department will not normally defer any law
enforcement responsibilities to the Park Rangers. When
appropriate, the Park Rangers will be advised of incidents
involving the Minuteman National Park.
4. F.B.I., D.E.A., A.T.F., or Other Federal Agencies
a. Members of the Lexington Police Department do not have the
authority to enforce federal laws and ordinances.
b. When appropriate, the Chief of Police or his designee shall notify
and/or coordinate any joint investigation between the Lexington
Police Department and the respective federal agency.
D. SPECIFIC TOWN LINE RESTRICTIONS
1. Determining the exact border of Lexington is not always possible. In
these situations, officers should consult with their Commanding Officer,
Patrol Supervisor and, if necessary, the neighboring police department or
area residents. If these methods are fruitless, exact boundary locations
can be obtained through the Lexington Online GIS Viewer.
2. Non-criminal Police Services should be rendered with minimal delay
when the Town line cannot be identified.
3. Criminal Investigations, or any situation which may involve criminal
activity, requires officers to take greater precautions in determining where
the Town line is located.
4. Any officer with specific town line boundaries should contact the
Commanding Officer for clarification.
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E. Specific Town Line Concerns
1. There are specific town line boundary locations in town that may need
to be identified from time to time. For example:
Friendly's Ice Cream Restaurant, 1060 Waltham Street, Lexington. The
Lexington/Waltham line separates the restaurant building from the parking
lot. The parking lot is located in Lexington.
Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School, 758 Marrett Road,
Lexington. The Lexington/Lincoln line separates the school building from
large parking lot and playing fields west of the building. The school building
and all areas north, south and east of the building are located in Lexington.
See map on page I-24.
Middlesex Mall, Retail Building, 675 Lowell Street, Lexington. The
Lexington/Burlington line places the retail building and immediate parking in
Lexington. See map on page I-25.
These locations along with all boundary locations in town, which an officer is not clear
on a boundary, should be obtained on the Lexington Online GIS Viewer for specifics.
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CURRENT MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) BETWEEN
66TH AIR BASE WING STAFF JUDGE ADVOCATES OFFICE
AND
66TH SECURITY FORCES SQUADRON
AND
POLICE DEPARTMENTS OF BEDFORD, CONCORD, LINCOLN & LEXINGTON
AND
MIDDLESEX COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
1. PURPOSE:
To outline the relationship between the 66th Air Base Wing Staff Judge Advocate Office
(hereinafter “JA”) and the 66th Security Forces Squadron (hereinafter “SFS”) of Hanscom Air
Force Base (AFB) and the police departments of Bedford, Concord, Lexington, & Lincoln,
(collectively “PD”) as well as the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office (hereinafter “DA”)
when addressing criminal matters connected to members of the Hanscom AFB community and
offenses/offenders on Hanscom AFB regardless of military affiliation. This includes all criminal
activity committed by or against active duty military members assigned to Hanscom AFB,
members of the United States Air Force Reserves performing military activities at Hanscom AFB,
and members of families of military members assigned to Hanscom AFB as well as any civilians
present on Hanscom AFB. This MOU establishes procedures concerning the exchange of
information, case investigation and prosecution, and the coordination of efforts and assets
between the parties.
2. JURISDICTION:
(a) Hanscom AFB is located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. For purposes of criminal
jurisdiction the property on the installation is partly the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States
government, and partly concurrent jurisdiction between the Federal government and the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Both Federal and Commonwealth of Massachusetts case law
have also extended jurisdiction to state/local authorities over persons located on Hanscom AFB to
the extent that the exercise of such jurisdiction does not interfere with the Federal interests.
Additionally, the United States Air Force (USAF) maintains jurisdiction over criminal act s
wherever committed by its active duty and activated reserve force members and may exercise
right of first refusal over such cases as deemed necessary. Once such a case is refused for
prosecution by the USAF, state/local authorities may prosecute.
(b) This MOU does not create, limit, or modify existing jurisdiction vested in the parties.
This MOU is intended exclusively to provide guidance and document an agreement for general
support. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to create, abrogate or extend any right,
privilege, or benefit to any person or entity, including the parties to this MOU
3. RESPONSIBILITIES:
(a) MAP: The respective parties signing this agreement will agree upon a common
jurisdiction and venue map of Hanscom AFB. All parties hereto will work from the agreed-upon
map which will clearly set forth the venue boundaries of the four co -jurisdictional towns. The
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Map will also detail the various jurisdictional locations on Hanscom AFB. Hanscom JA will be
the official custodian of the Map, but all parties shall maintain a copy of the same Map. All agree
to keep Hanscom JA apprised of any changes or potential changes in local venue.
(b) POINT OF CONTACT (POC): Each PD, the DA’s office, Hanscom JA and Hanscom
SFS will designate POCs and agree to keep all other parties advised when changes occur for
purposes of this agreement. The initial POC list is attached hereto and incorporated herein by
reference.
(c) NOTIFICATION: PD and DA agree to promptly notify Hanscom JA and Hanscom SFS
in the event of any arrest or charging of a known military member from Hanscom AFB in any of
the towns subject to this agreement; provided, however, that no PD shall be required to notify
Hanscom JA and Hanscom SFS in cases that involve motor vehicle violations only where no
arrest occurred. Local PDs and Das agree to notify Hanscom JA and Hanscom SFS of any
disposition and/or sentencing, including confinement time and location, in any state case
involving military members.
(d) INITIAL / SECONDARY RESPONDERS
(1) 66TH SECURITY FORCES SQUADRON (SFS)
(a) Hanscom SFS will be first responders to all calls on Hanscom AFB, unless a PD can
respond quicker, in which case it will become the first responder. Hanscom SFS, or other first
responder (if applicable), will conduct preliminary investigation to determine status of potential
offender (military or civilian) and determine, in conjunction with JA, if civilian authorities should
be notified for secondary response. If no civilian response is necessary, SF S is responsible for
apprehension or detention, search and seizure, and all aspects of the case and investigation. If
civilian authorities are to respond and assume primary responsibility, SFS may detain potential
defendants for a time period sufficient to allow transfer to the local cognizant PD authority.
(b) Upon determining that local authorities should respond, SFS will immediately notify
the PD with proper venue who, in turn, will respond (i.e. secondary response) and continue to
process the crime scene and conduct investigation (including apprehension(s) or detention(s),
searches and seizures, and all other aspects of the case and investigation) consistent with locally
established procedures.
(c) Due to the unique and specific rights (breath tests, independent medical exam, etc.)
afforded to motorists in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts when they are suspect of operating
a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs (including M.G.L. c. 90, §§ 24,
24G, and 24L), any SFS first responder who stops or otherwise encounters a motorist on Hanscom
AFB and who obtains facts supporting reasonable suspicion that the motorist is operating under
the influence shall promptly contact the appropriate PD. The PD shall promptly dispatch a local
police officer to the scene to assist the Hanscom SFS in the investigation. If probable cause to
believe the motorist was operating under the influence is developed during the investigation, the
responding PD shall effectuate an arrest and assume responsibility for the investigation and
prosecution of the case. Notwithstanding any arrest hereunder by a PD, Section 3 (1)(e) below
shall apply to any resulting prosecution.
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(d) To the greatest extent possible, SFS will ensure all involved partie s remain at the
location of any incident until such time as civilian authorities arrive on scene, or until such time as
response by civilian authorities is deemed unnecessary.
(2) POLICE DEPARTMENTS OF BEDFORD, CONCORD, LEXINGTON AND
LINCOLN (PD)
(a) Respond to all calls at appropriate local venue as secondary responders. If call
comes to PD first, then PD may be first responder. If PD is first responder, it must comply with
first responder duties under paragraph 3 (d) (1) (a) and (b) above.
(b) PD agree to promptly notify JA and SFS in the event of any arrest or charging of a
military member or military affiliated member from Hanscom AFB in any of the towns subject to
this agreement, including any arrest made at Hanscom AFB. PD agree to notify JA and SFS of
any disposition and/or sentencing, including confinement time and location, in any state case
involving military members.
(c) PD agree to share any and all information with JA and SFS concerning all matters
related to investigation or prosecution of cases by the PD. PD agree to share any and all
information with JA and SFS concerning all relevant matters related to investigation or
prosecution of cases by JA, including but not limited to the sharing of all information the local PD
has gathered on any subject or witness involved in the case, facilitating the interviewing of
witnesses, including co-coordinating with local DA concerning Hanscom requests for immunity
for witnesses, if requested.
(d) If prosecution proceeds in state court, the PD where the case proceeds will keep JA
informed of the status of the case throughout the prosecution (by periodic meetings or telephone
communication), including any changes in pre -trial release conditions, the confinement status of
military members, and/or the ultimate disposition of the case or sentence, if applicable.
(e) PROSECUTION
(1) 66TH AIR BASE WING JUDGE ADVOCATE LEGAL OFFICE (JA)
(a) JA will provide the PD and DA basic information about installation resources
available to members eligible for service under the Air Force Victim and Witness Assistance
Program (VWAP), especially domestic violence and sexual assault victims.
(b) JA will discuss with the DA whether an alleged military offender will be prosecuted
under state law of whether the Air Force will pursue federal action under the Uniform Code of
Military Justice (hereinafter “UCMJ”) in accordance with the provisions set out in paragraph 2,
Jurisdiction, above.
(c) Upon request, JA will forward copies of relevant police incide nt reports and
military protective orders to the DA.
(d) If prosecution will proceed in state court, JA will cooperate with the investigation
and prosecution to the greatest extent possible by sharing information and facilitating the
interviewing of witnesses over which the USAF has control.
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(e) If Hanscom JA defers to jurisdiction of PD, and after investigation JA wants to
prosecute for military offenses or other military reason, PD and DA will cooperate and notify as
otherwise outlined in this agreement.
(2) MIDDLESEX COUNT DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
(a) DA will promptly notify JA of any known military defendants and/or victims, and
provide information regarding the name and addresses of the defendant(s) and/or victim(s), along
with an explanation of the offense(s). DA will provide eligible recipients information concerning
the state Victim Witness Assistance, if applicable.
(b) DA will discuss with JA whether an alleged known military offender will be
prosecuted under state law or whether the Air Force will pursue federal action under the UCMJ in
accordance with the provisions set out in paragraph 2, Jurisdiction, above.
(c) If the alleged offender is to be prosecuted under the UCMJ, the DA will cooperate
with the investigation and prosecution to the greatest extent possible by sharing all information
and facilitating the interviewing of witnesses. This includes considering and obtaining requests
for immunity for witnesses, if requested, and if applicable.
(d) If prosecution proceeds in state court, the DA will keep JA informed of the status of
the case throughout the prosecution (periodic meetings), including any changes in pre -trial release
conditions, the confinement status of military members, and/or the ultimate disposit ion of the case
or sentence if applicable.
4. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) All parties herein agree to train and educate each other concerning the contents of this
agreement; and to train each other in their respective protocols, search and seizure laws and
techniques, arrest, identification, Miranda rights, and any other police investigation and/or legal
matters important to effectuation of this agreement and the procedures involved in handling
common cases.
(b) PD agree to require that all firearm applicants on Hanscom AFB applying for firearm
identification (FID) card, or a license to carry (LTC) a weapon, obtain a clearance letter from
Hanscom AFB affirming that no relevant otherwise disqualifying derogatory information about
the applicant exists in Hanscom AFB records that would prevent the issuance of an FID or LTC.
(c) The JA and SFS agree to assist PD with service of domestic abuse restraining orders
issued by any state court against any military and non -military person(s) residing on Hanscom
AFB. The JA and SFS also agree to promptly notify the appropriate PD of any information they
receive or obtain regarding any alleged violation of such orders and to provide reasonable
assistance, if necessary, to the PD in determining whether any restraining order violation
occurred.
(d) The parties agree to meet at least semiannually to discuss the implementation and
effectiveness of this MOU, the need for any changes or improvements to the procedures set forth
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herein, and any other issues or matters of mutual c oncern that will foster effective law
enforcement on Hanscom AFB and the respective portions of the four co-jurisdictional towns.
(e) The parties agree that any information exchanged pursuant to the MOU shall at all times
be in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws.
5. EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION AND EXECUTION
(a) This MOU shall become effective when last executed by the Staff Judge Advocate of the
66th Air Base Wing at Hanscom AFB provided that all other parties have previously signed thi s
agreement. It will remain in full force and effect for all parties hereto until specifically abrogated
by one party to this agreement with sixty (60) days written notice to all other parties, but it shall
remain in full force and effect for the other parties hereto.
(b) Any issues or questions regarding this MOU or not specifically covered by this MOU
shall be resolved through communication and agreement between the parties.
(c) Each party signing this document is empowered by its employer to legally bind the
agency/entity for the purposes state in this Memorandum of Understanding.
Per Chief Mark J. Corr (11-20-2009) – all parties signed this MOU on or about January 9 thru 18, 2006.
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Massachusetts Interagency Mutual Aid Agreement
Section 1.0 Purpose & Authority
This Agreement constitutes an agreement by, between, and among the Parties to establish a strategic
working partnership to address public safety concerns including but not limited to: providing mutual aid for
the member police departments because of terrorist or enemy action ; natural disaster; unusual occurrence,
including but not limited to fire, flood, storm, earthquake, landslide, aircraft accident, search or rescue
operations; other natural or man-caused incidents requiring exceptional police action; school or workplace
violence; riot; mob action; civil disturbance; demonstration; urban insurgency; impaired driving; drug
distribution; electronic & cybercrime; combating violent street gangs and associations; as well as any law
enforcement operations that require more sophisticated investigation on a regionalized basis or any
situation threatening the peace and tranquility in the Parties’ jurisdictions.
In order to address these public safety concerns, the Parties hereby agree to have sworn police officers from
each department empowered to operate with full police powers, including the power of arrest, in each
signatory community, as authorized under M.G.L. c. 40, § 8G. This type of agreement allows sworn police
officers from each signatory community to cross into the geographical jurisdiction of any other signatory
community to carry out official police business under the authority of M.G.L. c. 37, § 13; M.G.L. c. 40, § 8G;
M.G.L. c. 41, §§ 95, 98, 98A, 99; and similar statutes. Such extraterritorial exercise of police powers is
authorized under this Agreement in both mutual-aid-request and self-activation situations, as defined
herein. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to be construed to limit the lawful au thority of police officers
to make arrests or exercise police powers outside of this Agreement.
Section 2.0 Definitions
For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:
a. Chief of Police: A Party’s chief law enforcement officer; includes functional
equivalent of Chief of Police, whether denominated “Director,” “Commissioner,”
“Superintendent,” or similar title.
b. Commanding Officer: A Party’s Chief of Police, designee of the Chief of Police, or
Police Officer in charge of a shift
c. Official Request: A request for police assistance or for the exercise of Police
Powers made by one Party of one or more other Parties under the terms of this
Agreement
d. Party: City, town, or other political subdivision that has executed this Agreement
through its Chief of Police and/or other authorized signatory. A Party may be
located within, or be contiguous to, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The
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Parties are listed in Attachment A, which may be revised from time to time as
Parties join and withdraw from this Agreement.1
e. Police Officer: On-duty sworn municipal police officer regularly employed as such
by or in any Party; for purposes of this Agreement, Chiefs of Police shall be the
only Police Officers considered on-duty at all times.
f. Police Powers: All police powers granted by municipalities to Police Officers
regularly employed as such, including but not limited to the power of arrest
g. Receiving Party: A Party receiving police assistance or in which one or more
Police Officer(s) regularly employed as such by another Party is exercising Police
Powers in accordance with this Agreement
h. Self-Activation: The exercise of Police Powers within the territorial limits of any
Party by any Police Officer regularly employed as such by any other Party under
the terms of this Agreement in the absence of an Official Request
i. Sending Party: A Party that provides police assistance under the terms of this
Agreement or that regularly employs one or more Police Officers who exercise
Police Powers within the territorial limits of any other Party under the terms of
this Agreement
Section 3.0 Term of Agreement
It is the intent of the Parties to conduct this partnership on a continuing basis and to hold
periodic reviews as the Parties determine and deem necessary to ensure that the agreement
is meeting the mutual aid wants and needs of all the Parties hereto. To this end, this
Agreement shall be effective as the date of signature by the Parties and shall remain in
effect thereafter until terminated. This Agreement will be maintained by the Secretary of
the Middlesex Chiefs of Police Association or his or her designee.
Section 4.0 Termination of Agreement
Any Party may unilaterally withdraw from this Agreement at any time upon thirty (30) days
prior written notice to all Parties.
Section 5.0 Amendment of Agreement
This Agreement may be amended from time to time only by a specific writing duly executed
by all the Parties.
Section 6.0 Obligations and Responsibilities
1 Absence of a Party from Attachment A will not vitiate its status as a Party as long as this Agreement has been
signed on its behalf and it has not withdrawn from this Agreement as provided herein.
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6.01 Authority of Officers. The police powers, rights, privileges and immunities of any
Police Officer employed by a Party to this Agreement shall extend within the territorial limits
of each other Party to this Agreement while such Police Officer operates within the territorial
limits of a Receiving Party in accordance with this Agreement, either pursuant to an Official
Request or Self-Activation.
Operating within the territorial limits of a Receiving Party in accordance with this
Agreement shall not cause a Police Officer to be considered for any purpose to be an
employee of the Receiving Party. All employment rights, compensation, and benefits,
including but not limited to the provisions of M.G.L. c. 41, § 111F and/or M.G.L. c. 32
§ 94, shall remain the responsibility of the Sending Party. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any Party may be reimbursed in accordance with this Agreement and shall
be entitled to the liability and indemnification protections as outlined herein.
Any citizen or other complaints or investigatory or disciplinary action arising out of
the conduct of any Police Officer acting pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated
as if the Officer had been operating within the territorial limits of the Sending Party
at the time of the incident(s) or conduct at issue, unless otherwise agreed upon by
the Sending Party and the Receiving Party.
6.02 Command and Control. When exercising Police Powers pursuant to this Agreement,
Police Officers shall report as soon practically possible to the Commanding Officer of the
Receiving Party (either in person or by radio or other alternative electronic device), and shall
be under the direction and control of said Commanding Officer during the duration of the
operation, event or incident in connection with which the Police Officer i s exercising Police
Powers.
The Commanding Officer of the Sending Party may recall the Police Officers and
equipment of the Sending Municipality at the Commanding Officer’s sole discretion.
6.03 Official Request. Any Party or its designee may request assistance from any other Party
for any valid law-enforcement purpose, including but not limited to the purposes set
forth above
in Section 1.0 (Purpose & Authority) and as detailed below in Section 6.04 (Self-
Activiation). Any Official Request should include all pertinent information such as the
nature, location, and expected duration of the event or situation giving rise to the
Official Request; the number of Police Officers requested, including specialty
requirements; the type of equipment and logistical support needed; the location to
which Police Officers should report; and the name of the supervising officer or
Commanding Officer to whom Police Officers should report. This Agreement is not
intended to impose any obligation on any Party to respond to any Official Request.
6.04 Self-Activation. A Police Officer who observes or becomes aware of any violation of
law within the territorial limits of any Party (including the Sending Party), may exercise Police
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Powers within the territorial limits of any Party for the purpose of preventing harm to the
public; preventing loss or damage to property; engaging and stopping unlawful behavior;
investigating possible criminal violations; increasing the capability of all Parties to protect
the lives, safety, and property of people in the area; detaining offenders pending arrival of a
Police Officer of the Receiving Party; enforcing or investigating any traffic-related incident or
violation, whether or not it was originally observed in territorial limits of the Send ing Party;
and fresh-and-continued pursuit or exigent circumstances as otherwise authorized by law.
6.05 Notification to Receiving Party of Exercise of Police Powers. Whenever Police
Powers are exercised by a Police Officer in a Receiving Party pursuant to this Agreement, the
Commanding Officer of the Receiving Party shall be notified promptly, given the
circumstances, by the Police Officer exercising the Police Powers so that arrangements can
be made for any arrestee to be transported to the appropriate police headquarters to
undergo the required administrative booking process in the jurisdiction where the arrest
occurred or other appropriate administrative action may be taken. Such notification is
intended to ensure that the Police Officer has properly r ecorded all of the facts and
circumstances of the arrest or other police action, the appropriate biographical data of any
involved persons, and the documentation necessary for the effective prosecution of any
criminal defendant in a court of proper jurisdiction.
6.06 Powers of Police Officers. The powers of all the Police Officers operating under
this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect for the duration of this Agreement unless
any of the following should occur:
Separation of service from the employing agency;
The Chief of Police or designee of the Sending Party imposes a restriction on
the Police Officer’s authority to exercise Police Powers in accordance with this
Agreement.
6.07 Costs and Expenses. Each Party to this Agreement shall assume and be responsible
for paying all of its own personnel costs, including, but not limited to, the salaries, overtime
premiums, and disability benefits payable to its own Police Officers, and all of its own
equipment costs, including, but not limited to, damage to or loss of its own equipment, and
use of fuel, ammunition and other expendable supplies; provided, however, that the
Receiving Party, if an Official Request has been made, shall reimburse the Sending Party for
such payments to the extent there is insurance coverage available to do so and/or any
Federal or State grant funds and/or emergency funds (e.g., in the event of a natural disaster)
available to do so.
Section 7.0 Liability and Indemnification
Each Party to this agreement agrees to assume its own defense and hold each other Party,
its agents, servants, and employees harmless from all suits and claims brought by third
parties arising out of any act or omission committed by that Party or its Police Officers.
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Section 8.0 Successors and Assigns
The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the
successors and assigns and the public body or bodies succeeding to the respective interests
of the Parties.
Section 9.0 Section Headings
The headings of the Sections set forth herein are for convenience of reference only and are
not part of this Agreement and shall be disregarded in constituting or interpreting any of th e
provisions of this Agreement.
Section 10.0 Execution of Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts. All such counterparts shall
be deemed to be originals and together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 11.0 Stability of Agreement
This Agreement is to be construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and the Ordinances/Bylaws of the Parties. This Agreement, along with any
referred to Attachment(s), embodies the entire agreement between the Parties hereto, and
each Party acknowledges that there are no inducements, promises, terms, conditions or
obligations made or entered into other than those contained herein.
Section 12.0 Invalidity
If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, the
remaining terms and provisions shall not be affected and shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 13.0 Non-Waiver
The failure of any Party to enforce at any time any of the provisions hereof shall not be
construed to be a waiver of such provisions or of the right of such party th ereafter to
enforce any such provisions.
Section 14.0 Legal Advice
The Parties acknowledge that each has had the opportunity to fully discuss and review the
terms of the Agreement with an attorney. Each Party further acknowledges that it has
carefully read the Agreement, understands its meaning and intent, and freely and voluntarily
assents to all of the terms and conditions hereof, and signs the Agreement of his or her own
free will.