From
Fred Bates, Jr.
Title
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding / Interlocal Agreement (MOU/ILA) with the United States Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as it relates to the North Texas Strike Force (Dallas)
Presenter
Daniel Scesney, Chief of Police
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
The City of Grand Prairie, situated in the center of the Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex, remains a vitally important collaborative partner in the regional effort to investigate and enforce local and federal crimes that inherently lend themselves to the propagation of violent crimes. Law Enforcement, particularly criminal investigations, often extends beyond the boundaries of the City limits. It is, therefore, important that local, state, and federal agencies mutually cooperate to effectively serve and protect their respective constituents. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has invited the Grand Prairie Police Department to join this collaborative effort known as the North Texas Strike Force (Dallas).
The primary purpose of this Task Force will be to perform activities and duties that include, but are not limited to; disrupting the trafficking in narcotics and dangerous drugs, gathering intelligence data relating to trafficking in narcotics and dangerous drugs in the North Texas area, and other traditional methods of investigation that will result in effective prosecution before the courts of the United States and the State of Texas.
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 Grand Prairie Police Department along with other local law enforcement agencies in the Dallas - Fort Worth Metropolitan area will benefit from the collaborative effort with the DEA in investigating and resolving illegal activity involving the trafficking in narcotics and dangerous drugs that has a substantial and detrimental effect on the health and general welfare of the people of North Texas.
The Public Safety, Health, and Environmental Committee reviewed this item on October 5, 2020 and recommended it be forwarded to Council for approval.
Financial Consideration
None
Body
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING / INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT (MOU/ILA) WITH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION (DEA) AS IT RELATES TO THE NORTH TEXAS STRIKE FORCE (DALLAS).
WHEREAS, The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has invited the Grand Prairie Police Department to participate and collaborate in the North Texas Strike Force (Dallas).
WHEREAS, the City of Grand Prairie, which is centrally located within the Dallas - Fort Worth Metropolitan (North Texas) area, wishes to participate in a Memorandum of Understanding / Interlocal Agreement (MOU/ILA) with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as it relates to the North Texas Strike Force (Dallas).
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 this mutual access and benefit.
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 Memorandum of Understanding / Interlocal Agreement (MOU/ILA) with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as it relates to the North Texas Strike Force (Dallas).
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 THIS 13th DAY OF OCTOBER, 2020.