PORT ANGELES — The Lower Elwha Klallam and Port Angeles police departments have agreed to allow selected officers to have authority within both jurisdictions.
The agreement, approved by the City Council on Tuesday and Tribal Council last week, is intended to increase cooperation between the two law enforcement agencies, said the chiefs of both agencies.
A Lower Elwha officer driving through Port Angeles can only report a crime — just as Port Angeles officers are constrained on the Elwha reservation west of the town — unless their help is requested by the police agency with jurisdiction.
“There’s just been times we’ve seen a crime and can’t activate our lights, or anything, due to jurisdictional issues,” Lower Elwha Police Chief Rodney Charles said.
The agreement means that officers of both jurisdictions who are given commissions by both agencies can respond immediately to crimes that they witness in either area.
They still would be required to report the crime before taking action.
Charles said he will speak with the Tribal Council about how to administer commissions to Port Angeles officers.
Port Angeles Police Chief Terry Gallagher said any commissions he gives to Lower Elwha officers will be to those who meet the state’s training standards.
The police departments have a history of helping each other out on serious calls, the chief said
The agreement also defines the authority of the departments in the city and on the reservation.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
