Double duty: UMass and Dartmouth Police to provide mutual aid

UMass Dartmouth police officers will soon have the ability to take police action in town when patrolling around to different campus locations following the Select Board’s approval of the agreement at its Monday, Sept. 9 meeting. 

Dartmouth Chief of Police Brian Levesque said the goal of the Mutual Aid Agreement between the department and school is to allow officers to take immediate police action if needed. 

As an example, Levesque pointed out an instance when a campus police officer found themselves behind an impaired driver.

However, the university police’s authority will be limited in the agreement, with officers required to contact the town’s department at their earliest convenience during a stop.

“It’s very limiting, but it allows us to work together cooperatively,” Levesque said.

The Mutual Aid Agreement is similar to the agreement signed in 2012, which allows departments from 30 communities to work cooperatively for police services and details.

The officers at UMass undergo the same training as those in the town’s department, according to Levesque. 

He added it’s a two way agreement, which isn’t necessary given that Dartmouth officers already have authority on campus property, but could lead to more joint responses to any issues occurring at off-campus housing. 

“That would allow the school to take sanctions if there were to be violations,” he said.

Select Board members said they thought the agreement was a “great idea,” especially the opportunity for joint responses.

Select Board Chair Shawn McDonald said, “That would help. It hasn’t been too much of a problem in the past, but when it is, it’s a Lollapalooza, that’s for sure.”