Oxford City Council approves updated law enforcement agreement
The update aims to improve police department communication and revise language.
The Oxford City Council adopted a resolution during its regular meeting on July 21 allowing the city manager to join the revised Butler County Mutual Aid for Law Enforcement Agreement.
The agreement, worked on by the Butler County Chiefs of Police, includes language covering cooperation on existing task forces such as the OVI (operating a vehicle impaired) Task Force and other specialty units, according to the city staff report.
“This agreement is kind of intended to oversee task forces we already participate in,” Mayor Mike Smith said of the updated agreement.
The agreement will also allow for additional police protection and related support during emergencies.
The existing agreement, signed in 2022, only includes collaboration between the Butler County Sheriff and each individual department. The new agreement will make the Butler County Chiefs of Police Association the holder of the agreement, which will allow for “better cooperation between municipal police agencies in the county,” according to the city staff report.
Oxford Police Chief John Jones said the revised agreement adds new and updated language to protect the Oxford Police Department (OPD) from liability and create more efficient communication between departments.
The Oxford City Council will meet again at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 4 at the Oxford City Courthouse, 118 W. High St.
