DEPARTMENT: Sheriff
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute A Joint Powers Agreement For South Metro SWAT
end
PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the Sheriff’s Office to execute a joint powers agreement (JPA) with the Cities of Apple Valley, Faribault, Farmington, Hastings, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Mendota Heights, Northfield, Rosemount, South St. Paul, and West St. Paul, and the County of Rice for South Metro SWAT.
SUMMARY
Since 2003, the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office has joined with the Cities of Apple Valley, Farmington, Hastings, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Mendota Heights, Northfield, Rosemount, South St. Paul, and West St. Paul to form the Multi-Agency Assistance Group (MAAG). This group was formed as a Countywide resource for the purpose of training, equipping, and providing a group of deputies and police officers to respond to incidents across the County that present a significant high risk to public safety and law enforcement personnel. Examples include narcotics search warrants, violent offender encounters, barricaded suspects, active shooters, and hostage situations.
The group is governed by an oversight board made up of representatives from the aforementioned agencies, as well as a representative of the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office. This oversight board meets quarterly and ensures that contemporary policy is in place, that the business of the group is conducted as originally proposed, and that changes to policy and personnel are done properly. The oversight board also manages the budget. The 2024 contribution from each member agency, including the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, is $17,500. Those funds are utilized for operational costs including equipment and training for SWAT members.
JPAs for the team have been in effect since that time, with the last amendment made on December 18, 2018 (Resolution No. 18-651).
Within its last amendment, the group name was changed to South Metro SWAT due to the addition of Faribault and Northfield Police Departments, and the Rice County Sheriff’s Office. The entire SWAT contingent includes approximately 45 officers including seven Dakota County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
The term of the JPA is through December 31, 2028, although any party may withdraw from the JPA and the South Metro SWAT by giving 90 days written notice of their withdrawal as specified under the terms of the agreement.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorizing the Sheriff to execute the JPA for South Metro SWAT. Overall, the consolidation of resources has proven to be very beneficial to each member agency.
end
EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The 2024 contribution from each member agency, including the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, is $17,500. The Sheriff’s contribution is included in the County Manager’s 2024 recommended budget.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, since 2003 the Sheriff’s Office has joined with the Cities of Apple Valley, Farmington, Hastings, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Mendota Heights, Rosemount, South St. Paul, and West St. Paul to operate through a joint powers agreement the Multi-Agency Assistance Group (MAAG) that performs the function of a Special Weapons and Tactical (SWAT) Team; and
WHEREAS, the JPA was last amended in 2018, to change the team’s name to South Metro SWAT due to the three additional law enforcement agencies that joined the team, those being the Cities of Faribault and Northfield and the County of Rice; and
WHEREAS, the Sheriff and the Chiefs of the South Metro SWAT agencies desire to enter into an amended joint powers agreement with a term through December 31, 2028.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Sheriff to execute a joint powers agreement with the Cities of Apple Valley, Faribault, Farmington, Hastings, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Mendota Heights, Northfield, Rosemount, South St. Paul, and West St. Paul and the County of Rice for the ongoing assistance among law enforcement agencies now designated the South Metro SWAT and all the assistance it provides, for the term through December 31, 2028, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
end
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
15-127; 3/3/15
18-651; 12/18/18
ATTACHMENTS
BOARD GOALS
☐ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT LEVEL
☐ Inform and Listen ☐ Discuss ☐ Involve ☒ N/A
CONTACT
Department Head: Joe LekoAuthor: Nina Langer