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Authority and Mutual Aid (or Agency Assistance)

Law Enforcement Authority

Sworn members of this department are peace officers pursuant to Penal Code § 830.2(b). The authority of any such peace officer extends to any place in the State of California, provided that the primary duty of the peace officer shall be the enforcement of the law within the area specified in Section 92600 of the Education Code.

California Education Code, Section 92600

"The Regents of the University of California are authorized and empowered to appoint one or more persons to be members of the University of California Police Department as such police department is constituted on September 19, 1947, or may thereafter be constituted. Persons employed and compensated as members of said police department, when so appointed and duly sworn, are peace officers; provided, that such officers shall not exercise their powers or authority except (a) upon the campuses of the University of California and an area within one mile of the exterior boundaries of each thereof, (b) in or about other grounds of properties owned, operated, controlled or administered by The Regents of the University of California and (c) as provided in Section 830.2 of the Penal Code."

California Penal Code Section 830.2

The following persons are peace officers whose authority extends to any place in the state:

A member of the University of California Police Department appointed pursuant to Section 92600 of the Education Code, provided that the primary duty of the peace officer shall be the enforcement of the law within the area specified in Section 92600 of the Education Code.

Concurrent Jurisdiction

UC San Diego Police shares jurisdiction with local law enforcement agencies.

UC Police and Mutual Aid to Law Enforcement Agencies

University-Wide Mutual Aid

Pursuant to Chapter 13 of the University of California university-wide Police Policies and Administrative Procedures, UCPD and equipment from one or more campuses can travel to another UC campus to support that campus’ police department with both planned and unplanned events and occurrences. This university-wide mutual aid system involves the temporary transfer of staff, equipment and other resources between UC campuses or laboratories within the UC police network. In this context:

  1. Host campus: The UC campus or laboratory that requests and receives mutual aid support
  2. Guest campus: Any UC campus or laboratory providing mutual aid assistance

Who is responsible for requesting UC-wide mutual aid?

The Chief of Police at the host campus is primarily responsible for initiating UC-wide mutual aid requests. These requests are typically made when:

  • Civil unrest is anticipated.
  • Special campus events are planned.
  • Local emergencies occur.
  • The host campus' resources are deemed insufficient.

Who else can request UC-wide mutual aid?

In the chief's absence, the senior ranking officer may make the request, preferably after consulting with the chief.

What is the process for requesting UC-wide mutual aid?

The request process involves:

  • Submitting the UC-wide Mutual Aid Request Form
  • Initially, requests can be made by phone.
  • All requests must be promptly followed up in writing (via fax or email).

How much notice is needed to request UC-wide mutual aid?

Ideally, advance notice should be given to allow guest campuses time to evaluate their resources and adjust schedules accordingly.

Who is notified when UC-wide mutual aid is requested?

It's crucial to notify the Coordinator of UC Police Services about the mutual aid request as soon as possible.

Are UC Police required to assist other UC campuses when a request is made?

UC Police will endeavor to provide mutual aid when requested by other UC campuses, subject to available resources and local conditions. The process involves:

  • The requesting campus sends a UC-wide Mutual Aid Authorization Form to potential assisting campuses via fax or email.
  • Receiving campuses evaluate the request and decide whether to offer assistance.
  • If aid is offered, the responding campus will complete the form, detailing:
    1. Mutual aid personnel (names, ranks, ID numbers)
    2. Recent duty assignments of mutual aid staff
    3. Specialized equipment to be provided
    4. Any additional resources offered
    5. Mutual aid detail leader's name
    6. Transfer of command arrangements, including effective date and time

Who bears the financial responsibility for UC-wide mutual aid?

The University of California Police Department Mutual Aid Reimbursement Policy as established by the Council of Police Chiefs states, when a UC campus (host) requests mutual aid from another UC campus (guest), the host campus shall reimburse the guest campus for direct costs incurred due to the assignment of personnel, equipment, or other resources. Reimbursable costs are limited to those exceeding the guest campus’ routine operational expenses.

  • Reimbursable costs include:
    • Overtime pay for personnel.
    • Travel expenses (e.g., meals, lodging, transportation).
    • Equipment damage or loss.
    • Consumable supplies used during the mutual aid event.
  • Non-reimbursable costs include:
    • Regular salaries and benefits of personnel.
    • Standard equipment maintenance and depreciation.
    • Administrative overhead.
    • Training expenses.
  • The host campus shall promptly process reimbursement requests submitted by the guest campus, following established UC financial procedures.

California Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Plans

The statewide mutual aid system is an outgrowth of the California Disaster and Civil Defense and the Master Mutual Aid Agreement (1950), the Emergency Services Act, Chapter 7 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code (GC), Governor’s Executive Order W-9-91, is supported by the California Emergency Plan and by extension, the Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Plan.

The State of California Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Plan is issued and revised under the authority of Sections 8550, 8569, 8615 through 8619, and 8668 of the California Government Code, the California Emergency Plan, and the Master Mutual Aid Agreement. 

UC Police, as a state law enforcement agency, is expected to participate in the plan. The Sheriff of San Diego County is the Operational Area (OA) Law Enforcement Coordinator for San Diego County. The Sheriff may request assistance on behalf of the OA (i.e., county) and law enforcement agencies are expected to provide personnel to the extent possible. No jurisdiction is required to unnecessarily deplete its own personnel, equipment, and service capabilities in order to furnish mutual aid resources. When requested to provide mutual aid, it is generally accepted that a reasonable response will consist of up to 50% of available on-duty uniformed personnel. Examples of past law enforcement assistance requests in California include events such as fires, floods, earthquakes, search and rescue, civil unrest, and transportation accidents/air crashes.

In emergency situations, law enforcement agencies initially operate under their own emergency protocols using available resources. However, when an agency head or their representative determines that an emergency may exceed or has already surpassed their department's capabilities, they are responsible for requesting assistance from the Operational Area Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Coordinator.

Who is the Operational Area Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Coordinator?

The Sheriff serves as the Operational Area Law Enforcement Coordinator. When Mutual Aid is requested by a local law enforcement agency, the Sheriff, or representative will:

  • Confirm an emergency or anticipated emergency exists.
  • Establish that the involved local agency’s resources are inadequate to meet the demands of the incident (and meet the criteria for a mutual aid request).
    • Obtain the mission(s) for responding personnel.
    • Through coordination with the Incident Commander, determine the quantity and type of resources needed to accomplish the mission(s).
    • Determine where to stage the incoming mutual aid resources.
    • Identify the Liaison Officer of the requesting agency who will serve as the point of contact.
    • Ensure both the requesting agency and the Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Coordinator establish appropriate documentation procedures.
    • Ensure responding resources are demobilized as soon as they are no longer needed.
  • If the Operational Area Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Coordinator determines there are insufficient resources within the Operational Area, they will contact the Regional Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Coordinator (Region VI). The Regional Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Coordinator will then contact all necessary law enforcement agencies within Region VI to obtain the needed resources. If the Regional Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Coordinator determines resources are insufficient within the region, they will then contact the California Office of Emergency Services Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Coordinator who will contact all necessary Regions within the state.

What are the requirements for mutual aid?

The general requirements for requesting mutual aid include:

  • An emergency must be imminent; and
  • A significant number (50% or more) of local resources should be committed to the incident or other incidents, prior to the request of mutual aid.
  • A specific mission must be stated.

If a specialized resource is needed (i.e., Canine, Special Weapons and Tactics [SWAT], Air Support-ABLE, etc.), the determination outlined above does not apply, as this type of support is considered day-to-day mutual aid and does not require a formal request.

Mutual aid may not be used for labor strikes (except in the event it becomes violent).

Can mutual aid be requested for unanticipated situations and pre-planned events?

Mutual aid can be requested for unanticipated situations if an agency does not have the resources to properly handle the circumstances. Departments experiencing an unanticipated situation that is developing (but has not yet occurred) and it appears that the department’s resources may soon be insufficient, should contact the Operational Area Law Enforcement Coordinator (the Sheriff, or designee, via the Sheriff’s Communications Center Watch Commander) and advise that the department may be requesting mutual aid.

Mutual Aid is not used for large "pre-planned" events. Should an agency have a planned event (i.e., concert, parade, etc.), a formal request for mutual aid cannot be made until an unanticipated emergency, or incident occurs, that may become or is already beyond the control of the agency’s available resources. Departments may; however, utilize other departments’ personnel, equipment, and/or supplies by mutual agreement (Memorandum of Understanding, Joint Powers Agreements, etc.). Under these special agreements, the immunities, benefits, and funding available under formal mutual aid may not be available.

What’s the difference between mutual aid and a planned event?

Mutual aid is requested during unanticipated events or emergency situations when local resources are, or are about to become, overwhelmed. Examples may include natural disasters such as earthquakes, wildfires, or floods, power outage, civil unrest, and riots.  Costs for mutual aid response are borne by each responding agency.

A planned event is an anticipated incident, such as a large concert or parade, during which additional resources may be needed. Those resources can be requested from allied agencies through previously arranged agreements such as MOUS.  These are NOT considered mutual aid, even though they are often referred to as such.

What are the fiscal responsibilities associated with a mutual aid mission?

Unless otherwise agreed to:

  • The requesting agency is responsible for feeding, billeting, fuel and other on-scene support.
  • The requesting agency is not responsible to provide salary or employment benefits.
  • Emergency medical costs for a responder are paid by the responder’s agency.
  • Damaged equipment (e.g., vehicles) is not reimbursable by the requesting agency. If a State Proclamation or Federal Declaration has been made, the responding agency should submit a claim through the requesting agency.
  • Materials used are normally replenished by the requesting agency.