Carlsbad council approves two‑year mutual‑aid MOU with Eddy County Sheriff's Office

The Carlsbad City Council approved a two‑year memorandum of understanding (MOU) formalizing mutual aid and operational collaboration between the Carlsbad Police Department and the Eddy County Sheriff's Office.

Chief Rodriguez described the MOU as a formalized framework aligning with the National Incident Management System and the Incident Command System. Under the agreement, CPD and ECSO will support each other in emergency response, criminal investigation, traffic enforcement and community policing while each department remains responsible for its own personnel and equipment costs unless otherwise agreed in writing. "It institutionalizes the mutual aid and operational collaboration that has long existed informally," Chief Rodriguez said.

Sheriff Hutchins (identified in the meeting as the county sheriff) told council that state statute allows a sheriff to provide special deputy authority for specific calls and that the statute is typically event‑ or call‑limited; "The deputy needs assistance, emergency assistance that are allowed to respond and help," the sheriff said, describing that a temporary commission does not result in a permanent card or ongoing commission beyond the incident.

Council members asked about legal and operational details, including command structure and the process to request assistance; staff said written termination with 30 days' notice is allowed and legal review occurred on both sides. After discussion, the council voted to authorize the mayor and the chief of police to execute the agreement on behalf of the city; the motion passed by unanimous roll call.