From
Fred Bates, Jr.
Title
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a mutual Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with Dallas Baptist University (DBU) that will grant their police department specific access to the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS) through specifically defined terminals held by the Grand Prairie Police Department.
Presenter
Don Trask, Assistant Chief of Police
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
The City of Grand Prairie covers 81.4 square miles, is the 5th largest city in the Metroplex in land mass, and is situated in three counties (Dallas, Tarrant, and Ellis). The City has a growing population of over 185,000 residents and provides emergency response service for both citizens and visitors within its boundaries. Law Enforcement, particularly criminal investigations, often extends beyond the boundaries of the City limits. It is, therefore, important that local agencies mutually cooperate to effectively serve and protect their respective constituents.
Vernon’s Texas Statues and Codes Annotated (VTCA), Local Government Code 791, The Texas Interlocal Cooperation Act, provides that any one or more local governmental entities may contract with each other for the performance of governmental functions and for the joint use of facilities or services for police protection and for the promotion and protection of the health and welfare of the inhabitants of this State and the mutual benefit of the parties. The City, for the purposes of performing functions of law enforcement through the Grand Prairie Police Department, has an authorized access terminal that provides access to the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS), which is administered by the Texas Department of Public Safety. TLETS is a telecommunications system that allows law enforcement agencies in the State of Texas the ability to check the validity of vehicle license plates, drivers license information and other information that is not normally available to the general public.
Staff is recommending consideration of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into this mutual agreement that will allow Dallas Baptist University (DBU), represented by its police department, to access TLETS for criminal justice purposes through the City’s authorized connection. Due to the close proximity of the campus of DBU, the value of this cooperation is increased as it will extend the investigatory capabilities of both agencies. DBU has also agreed to incur any possible costs that may be associated with gaining access to, and using the City’s TLETS connection, therefore releasing the City from any financial obligation. Stand-alone access for the DBU Police Department is not feasible due their size.
The Public Safety, Health and Environmental Committee will review this item on February 4, 2015, their next scheduled meeting.
Financial Consideration
None
Body
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A MUTUAL INTERLOCAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH DALLAS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY (DBU), GRANTING ITS POLICE DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC ACCESS TO THE TEXAS LAW ENFORCEMENT TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM (TLETS) FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE PURPOSES THROUGH SPECIFICALLY DEFINED TERMINALS HELD BY THE GRAND PRAIRIE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Whereas, the City of Grand Prairie has been granted access to the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS) by the Texas Department of Public Safety;
Whereas, Dallas Baptist University, represented by its police department has requested that the City enter into an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement for access to TLETS for criminal justice purposes through a specifically defined terminal held by the Grand Prairie Police Department;
Whereas, the Vernon’s Texas Statues and Codes Annotated, Government Code, 791, the Texas Interlocal Cooperation Act, provides for such an agreement between two or more local governmental agencies for the joint use of facilities and services for police protection and the promotion and protection of the health and welfare of the inhabitants of the State of Texas and the mutual benefit of both parties;
Whereas, the City is not responsible for any cost associated with DBU’s access and use of TLETS as DBU will incur all cost.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas that:
Section 1. the City Council of the City of Grand Prairie, Texas, does hereby authorize the City Manager to enter into a mutual Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with Dallas Baptist University granting its police department access to TLETS for criminal justice purposes.
Section 2. this resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval in accordance with the Charter of the City of Grand Prairie and it is accordingly so resolved.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, 3rd DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2015.