HomeMy WebLinkAboutDEPARTMENT OF VETERANS-QUIRED MAY p 6 2021
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Jeffrey Hayter
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS
Veterans Administration Police Department
5901 East Seventh Street BLDG 5C
Long Beach, CA 90822
(562) 826-5800
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
Chief David Valentin
Santa Ana Police Department
60 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Dear Chief Valentin,
N-2021-096
The Department of Veterans Affairs requires (VA) Police to maintain current written support
agreements with all local law enforcement agencies.
All properties under the control or ownership of the Department of Veterans Affairs, are under
concurrent jurisdiction. This jurisdiction grants local civil police agencies full rights to exercise
law enforcement functions on VA medical center grounds. The VALBHS has two associated
activities within the city of Santa Ana. A Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) is located
in 1506 Brookhollow Dr. Santa Ana, CA 92705 and a Community Resource and Referral Center
(CRRC) located at 888 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Ste 150, Santa Ana, CA 92701.
For clarity it is imperative that we inter into a memorandum of understanding outlining agency
responsibilities and expectations.
Although our VA Police Officers are highly trained and experienced meeting most disturbances
and other related police functions without the need for civil intervention or assistance, we may still
encounter certain situations that would require your department's assistance.
These needs would include, but may not be limited to, the following situations where your
department's assistance would be required:
a. Armed hostage taking situations that would require an armed response to assist VA Police in
containing the situation until appropriate federal agencies (such as the Federal Bureau of
Investigation - FBI) can respond to assume control.
b. Crimes involving armed robberies of funds, drugs or properties where the individuals
committing the crimes leave VA police jurisdiction.
c. Vehicle accident investigations, which may result in non -injuries, injuries, or death
involving the VA Police patrol vehicle.
d. Any major incident that would require additional Officers for traffic control to allow
emergency vehicles a clear access to the facility.
e. To assist confirming the identification of wanted subjects, arrest and/or detain individuals
who have outstanding warrants issued for their arrest by civil law enforcement agencies.
VA Police would execute the detention and physical arrest of subjects under federal
warrants.
To provide additional Officers when needed to assist with the physical arrest of a
violent/disorderly person (s) who poses a serious threat to patients, visitors, medical staff or
themselves.
g. Provide assistance in the transportation of prisoner's who have been arrested at the above
listed location on occasions when they are only two VA police officers on duty. In situations
where there are more than two VA Police officers, booldng and paperwork will be handled
by the VA Police.
h. We request notification for Veterans in crisis to our VA Police Mental Health Evaluation
team. This is so we can provide appropriate VA resources (Mental health care, housing etc.)
to your agency to ensure the Veteran receives care at a VA hospital. The VA Police MET
Team is available to respond to requests for assistance.
Intelligence Sharing — In an effort to have a collaborative relationship with your agency,
sharing information regarding suspects that are Veterans or cases involving Veterans where
there is a threat to the public will be shared as needed for official law enforcement purposes.
j. K-9 Utilization — The VA Police Long Beach employs a K-9 that is trained to track lost or
missing people. This resource can be requested by your agency if needed to assist with the
location of a lost or missing person. The canine will only be utilized in the community for
missing persons when the missing person presents no threat of violence and is being sought
N-2021-096
for purposes of their health and well-being. The VA canine/handler will not be utilized
when there is a clear and present threat to the safety of the handler or the canine itself.
k. VA Police Crisis Negotiations Team —This team can assist with Veterans who are in crisis
and are barricaded, taking hostages, suicidal or homicidal. The VA Police CNT Team is
available to respond to requests for assistance.
Should any VA Police Officer be involved in a shooting, the FBI will be notified immediately. If
the FBI declines investigation, or if the FBI response is delayed, this agreement establishes inter-
agency support for the VA Police to receive investigative assistance from the Santa Ana Police
Department. Assistance may range from establishing, preserving and/or controlling the crime
scene, as well as acting as the lead investigative agency, if requested and necessary.
Please sign both copies as indicated below if you concur with this support agreement (retaining
one copy for your files and returning the second copy to us).
If you should have any questions or concerns regarding this matter or any issue, please feel free to
contact me at (562) 826-5532.
We look forward to continuing our close and professional working relationship with your agency
Sincerely,
Jeffrey ayte4
VA Chief of Police
I concur with this agreement:
Valentin
Approved to Form
Sonia R. Carvalho
�ti v Attorney} _
Tamara Bogosian
St. Assistant City Attorney
Date: Z2�
City of Santa Ana
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Kristine Ridge
City Manager