326 - Outside Agency Assistance
326.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to members when requesting or responding to a request for mutual aid or when assisting another law enforcement agency.
326.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Hartwell County Sheriff’s Department to promptly respond to requests for assistance by other law enforcement agencies, subject to available resources and consistent with the applicable laws and policies of this office.
326.3 ASSISTING OUTSIDE AGENCIES
Generally, requests for any type of assistance from another agency should be routed to the Administrative Bureau’s office for approval. In some instances, a memorandum of understanding or other established protocol may exist that eliminates the need for approval of individual requests.
When another law enforcement agency requests assistance from this office, the Administrative Bureau may authorize, if available, an appropriate number of personnel to assist. Members are reminded that their actions when rendering assistance must conform with applicable laws and be consistent with the policies of this office.
Deputies may respond to a request for emergency assistance, however, they shall notify a supervisor of their activity as soon as practicable.
Arrestees may be temporarily detained by this office until arrangements for transportation are made by the outside agency. Probation violators who are temporarily detained by this office will not ordinarily be booked at this office. Only in exceptional circumstances, and subject to supervisor approval, will this office provide transportation of arrestees to other facilities on behalf of another agency.
When transportation assistance is rendered, a report shall be prepared and submitted by the handling member unless otherwise directed by a supervisor.
326.3.1 INITIATED ACTIVITY
Any on-duty deputy who engages in law enforcement activities of any type that are not part of a mutual aid request and take place outside the jurisdiction of the Hartwell County Sheriff’s Department shall notify his/her supervisor or the Administrative Bureau and Dispatch as soon as practicable. This requirement does not apply to special enforcement details or multiagency units that regularly work in multiple jurisdictions.
326.4 REQUESTING OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE
If assistance is needed from another agency, the member requesting assistance should, if practicable, first notify a supervisor. The handling member or supervisor should direct assisting personnel to where they are needed and to whom they should report when they arrive.
Outside Agency Assistance The requesting member should arrange for appropriate radio communication capabilities, if necessary and available, so that communication can be coordinated between assisting personnel.
326.5 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Incidents of outside assistance or law enforcement activities that are not documented in a crime report shall be documented in a dispatch call for service (CFS).
326.6 MANDATORY SHARING
Equipment and supplies purchased with federal funds or grants that require such equipment and supplies be shared with other agencies should be documented and updated as necessary by the Administrative Bureau or the authorized designee.
The documentation should include:
- The conditions relative to sharing.
- The training requirements for:
- The use of the supplies and equipment.
- The members trained in the use of the supplies and equipment.
- Any other requirements for use of the equipment and supplies.
Copies of the documentation should be provided to Dispatch and the Administrative Bureau to ensure use of the equipment and supplies is in compliance with the applicable sharing agreements.
The Training Deputy should maintain documentation that the appropriate members have received the required training.
Registered Offender Information