(a)  The police chief of a city or town in Rhode Island may enter into an agreement, which is subject to approval by each city or town council by adoption of a resolution in support of it with another city or town, which is adjacent to and borders on the state of Rhode Island, to provide mutual aid and assistance for all police services prescribed by law within any portion of the jurisdiction of the city or town of the chief granting the authority.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 30-15.8-3

  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • town: may be construed to include city; the words "town council" include city council; the words "town clerk" include city clerk; the words "ward clerk" include clerk of election district; the words "town treasurer" include city treasurer; and the words "town sergeant" include city sergeant. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-9
  • town council: include city council; the words "town clerk" include city clerk; the words "ward clerk" include clerk of election district; the words "town treasurer" include city treasurer; and the words "town sergeant" include city sergeant. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-9

(b)  The officers responding to the request and agreement shall have the same authority, powers, duties, privileges and immunities for jurisdictional purposes as a duly appointed police officer of the city or town making the request.

(c)  All wage and disability payments, pension, workers’ compensation claims, medical expenses or other employment benefits will be the responsibility of the employing agency, unless the requesting agency is reimbursed for such costs from any other source. Each agency shall be responsible for the negligence of its employees to the extent specified by law.

(d)  A copy of any agreement entered into pursuant to this section shall be provided to the superintendent of the Rhode Island state police.

(e)  The governor shall have the authority to suspend an agreement entered into pursuant to this section upon a finding that the suspension is in the interest of public safety.

History of Section.
P.L. 2002, ch. 142, § 2.