The Fulton City Council moved forward with a law‑enforcement mutual aid agreement between the City of Fulton and Callaway County, with Chief Bill Hedwig explaining the agreement formalizes reciprocal assistance and replaces a patchwork approach tied to individual commissions.

Chief Hedwig said the county no longer issues reserve commissions for smaller departments through its accreditation process; the mutual aid agreement ensures that Fulton and county agencies will assist each other when requested without needing individual deputizations. He said the agreement is a cleaner, more reliable mechanism for requesting and providing assistance.

Council made a motion to schedule the ordinance (Bill 17‑53) for second reading at the next regular meeting and then voted in favor of advancing the item. Councilmembers noted the fire department also maintains several mutual aid agreements.

No changes to local policing duties, staffing, or operational protocols were announced at the meeting; the agreement clarifies the administrative mechanism for mutual assistance between jurisdictions.