Title
Multi-Agency Voluntary Cooperation Mutual Aid Agreement with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for a Combined Drug Task Force (B)
Explanation
It is the intention of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to establish this multi-agency Drug Task Force in order for area law enforcement agencies to dedicate resources into a centralized unit for the purpose of targeting trafficking-level offenders, along with their associated distribution organizations. The Combined Drug Task Force will assist in the successful prosecution of violators of the narcotics drug laws, with particular emphasis on efforts designed to identify and dismantle organized criminal enterprises, and will also emphasize targeting violators that commit criminal acts in multiple jurisdictions and/or multiple judicial circuits.
The Combined Drug Task Force efforts shall include, but are not limited to, undercover operations designed to detect illegal narcotics activity, the arrest and prosecution of those involved, the seizure of contraband and weapons, the forfeiture of assets from those engaged in such activity, and the referral of investigative leads and intelligence to other federal, state or local law enforcement authorities as may be appropriate.
The parties to this mutual aid agreement are contributing personnel and resources in support of the Task Force efforts, with the operations of the Task Force being coordinated with FDLE and other Task Force members.
Fiscal Note
As part of this multi-agency mutual aid agreement, there will be one existing full-time police officer position assigned to the Combined Drug Task Force once the Gainesville Police Department's reorganization is completed.
Recommendation
The City Commission authorize the City Manager to enter into a multi-agency mutual aid agreement between the Florida Department of Law Enforcement; the Office of the State Attorney, Eighth Judicial Circuit; the University of Florida Police Department; the Alachua County Sheriff's Office; the Florida Highway Patrol; and the City of Gainesville Police Department, forming the Combined Drug Task Force, for a period of two years, subject to the approval of the City Attorney as to form and legality.