BENTONVILLE -- The Police Department entered into mutual aid agreements with three other cities to provide additional resources when needs arise.
City Council approved 8-0 to enter into the agreements with Fort Smith, Bella Vista and Rogers. There are no costs associated with the agreements.
Bentonville’s City Council met Tuesday and approved:
• Plat for Arbor Lane II Subdivision Phase 1 on Southwest Juniper Avenue.
• Vacating a 20-foot utility easement in the AT&T Addition.
• Setting a public hearing for Sept. 22 for a utility easement vacation at 1700 S.E. Moberly Lane.
• Setting a public hearing for Sept. 22 for a public access easement vacation in Lot 4 of Ron Blackwell Addition.
• A budget adjustment for a $3,825 Walton Family Foundation grant for 300 trees for the fall tree giveaway Oct. 17.
• Hiring Crossland Construction for $27,392 to build a driveway at Substation F.
• Spending $29,422 for remote terminal units for Substation F from NovaTech.
Source: Staff Report
Bentonville has had an agreement with Rogers for several years, but the agreements with Fort Smith and Bella Vista are new.
It's important mutual aid agreements with other area departments are created and updated to provide the highest quality police service and community safety, Jon Simpson, Bentonville Police Chief, said in a memo to council.
"Such agreements provide for additional manpower or assistance during natural or man-made disasters, exigent circumstances, joint operations and training," it reads.
It's up to the police chief where services are being requested to determine what resources and level of response will be authorized to the agency requesting it, according to the agreements.
"This response may include, but is not limited to, manpower, vehicles, equipment or other police resources," they read.
It's also included that cities where resources are being requested can deny the request should that city's mayor and police chief believe responding would jeopardize city property or be dangerous to its staff.
Most police departments are willing to assist each other when needed, but the agreements help clarify expectations and give legal protection, Simpson said.
"It's all about preparation for the unexpected and the ability to have previously agreed upon standard that can provide additional resources when needed," he said.
The city is also exploring similar agreements with other neighboring cities but larger cities such as Fort Smith have more resources, Simpson said. The Fort Smith department supplied an interpreter to interview a suspect in a homicide case in Bentonville about four years ago even without a formal agreement in place, he said.
Mutual aid requests could also be for natural disasters, demonstrations, riots or even a missing child case, Simpson said.
The agreements allow the Bentonville Police Department to partner with other agencies, Mayor Bob McCaslin said.
"On some initiatives, we're much better as a team than we are solo," he said, explaining resources can be increased with the help of additional departments.
NW News on 09/09/2015