By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

Per a mutual aid agreement passed by the Town of Berlin this week, the municipality’s law enforcement team will have the authority to assist jurisdictions across Worcester County.

The Berlin Town Council agreed to sign a mutual aid agreement this week, which includes the additional parties of the Worcester County Commissioners, the Mayor and Council of Ocean City, the Mayor and Council of Pocomoke City, and the Mayor and Council of Snow Hill. The contract allows these jurisdictions to offer police aid across town lines without first needing to obtain county approval. Each visiting law enforcement team will have the same power as the local crew.

The contract reads, “It is in the public interest that law enforcement agencies throughout the State of Maryland cooperate to the greatest extent possible to provide prompt, effective, and professional police services; and whereas the federal and state government encourages law enforcement agencies to employ regional approaches to public safety, planning, preparedness, and responses to public safety needs.”

The agreement continues, “whereas, the County Commissioners of Worcester County, Maryland, and the Mayor and Council of each municipality within Worcester County desire to enable collaboration and communication across law enforcement agencies operating within Worcester County to enhance policing services and community safety…”

Currently, towns have agreements solely with the county. The new arrangement is instead a county-wide mutual aid agreement with all local governments, said Arnold Downing, chief of police in Berlin.

“It’s going to make our jobs a lot easier,” the chief added. “And the liability itself covers that. It allows for a municipality to ask for the help, and the helping municipality or county agency to go ahead and move forward.”

For example, during the annual Berlin Christmas Parade, other local law enforcement groups, such as those from Pocomoke and Snow Hill, come to Berlin. When these jurisdictions host their own events, Berlin’s police department attends. With the new contract, rather than first seeking approval from Worcester County, these municipalities can request the additional aid directly, and the responding team may be dispatched.

“What we do now is have an agreement with the county,” Downing said. “So, if we want to go to Pocomoke, we say, ‘County, can we go to Pocomoke?’ and the county says, ‘Pocomoke, do you want them to come?’ And we have power that way. This [contract] eliminates that.”