Title
a. Approve a standard Agreement with the Pilots of the Monterey County Sheriff's Aero Squadron (MCSAS) and the Monterey County Sheriff's Office (MCSO), effective upon signature of Sheriff or Undersheriff; and
b. Authorize the Sheriff or Undersheriff to sign future standard agreements with any Pilot who has been approved and authorized by the MCSAS (in accordance with MCSAS requirements).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve a standard Agreement with the Pilots of the Monterey County Sheriff's Aero Squadron (MCSAS) and the Monterey County Sheriff's Office (MCSO), effective upon signature of Sheriff or Undersheriff; and
b. Authorize the Sheriff or Undersheriff to sign future standard agreements with any Pilot who has been approved and authorized by the MCSAS (in accordance with MCSAS requirements).
SUMMARY/DISUSSION:
The MCSO patrols over 3,280 square miles of land and provides protection to over 400,000 people who live inside their jurisdiction. Given the fiscal constraints of today's law enforcement environment, many local police and sheriff agencies are unable to fully implement an aviation division due to the inherent costs to operate aircraft and pay professional law enforcement pilots. To cope with the extreme costs, some smaller police forces around the country have relied on the help of volunteer civilian pilots to augment law enforcement-based aviation operations.
The MCSAS is operated by a volunteer group of pilots. They conduct search and rescue, patrol and special operations air support and communications relay. Deputies work as Tactical Flight Officers ride in the back of the plane operating the camera and coordinate assets on the ground.
The MCSAS has worked with the MCSO for several years, providing support at Raceway Laguna Seca, Golfing's at Pebble Beach, protest, etc. to name a few; however, now the MCSAS is requesting a formal written agreement to continue to provide these services. T...
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