Uintah County Sheriff’s Office presented a VFAST Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Nov. 26 that would cross-deputize county deputies to assist U.S. Marshals in apprehending violent fugitives; the commission approved the MOU and authorized signatures.

Sheriff Laban described the MOU and said federal agencies had updated body-camera policies that were reflected in the revised agreement. “This MOU just, cross deputizes a few of my deputies to work with the marshals to apprehend violent fugitives,” the sheriff said. He added the MOU takes effect when signed and that either party may exit the MOU with 30 days’ notice.

A commissioner asked whether the agreement includes reimbursement. Sheriff Laban said reimbursement may cover wages and travel and that the details had not yet been fully specified. A commissioner moved to approve the U.S. Marshals VFAST MOU as presented with signatures; the motion passed by voice vote.

Why it matters: The MOU enables county deputies to act with U.S. Marshals on fugitive apprehensions and may include limited federal reimbursements for wages and travel, potentially affecting sheriff's-office operations and budgets.

Details: The sheriff told the commission federal body-camera policies have changed and the MOU text reflects those updates; Sheriff Laban said the effective date is when he signs and either side may withdraw within 30 days.