HomeMy WebLinkAboutMOU with USMS for Operation Offender RodeoTo:
KITTITAS COUNTY
Clay Myers, Sheriff
Date: November 2,2022
Deputy United States Marshal (DUSM) Christopher Fay
United States Marshalls Service (USMS)
From: Sheriff Myers
RE: Non-compliant and sex offender checks- Operation Offender Rodeo
Dear DUSM Fay,
The Kittitas County Sheriffs Office is looking forward to partnering with the
USMS to advance the sex offender mission and to hold accountable non-compliant
sex offenders during Operation OFFENDER RODEO.
The requested overtime will be utilized to fulfill this mission, a sex offender
compliance check operation. without the overtime funding, there would not be
enough personnel and time to meet the needed number of checking sex offenders in
compliance. The operation will have a direct impact to our community's safety for all
that live and visit here.
The overtime funding includes time prior to the operation to prepare case files, and
after the operation for after action reporting as well as preparing cases for possible
prosecution. The total amount of overtime funding requested is $2550.00 for three
days, for one Deputy for 10 hours each day, at arate of $85.00 dollars per Deputy,
per hour.
Sincerely,
ryyt
Clay Myers
Kittitas County SherifPs Office
307 W. Umptanum Rd. Ellensburg, Washington 98926
PHONE 509-962-7 525 . 509-67 4-2584
FAX 509-962-7599
https :/iwww.co.kittitas.wa. us/sheriff
United States Marshals Service
Short-Term Joint Operation - Memorandum of Understanding
Rev.03/22
PARTIES ANDAUTHORITY:
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is entered into by the
Kittitas County Sheriffls Office
and the United States Marshals Service (USMS) pursuant to 28 U.S.C. $ 566(eXl)(B). As set forth in the
Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000, codified at 34 U.S.C. 41503, and directed by the Attorney General,
the USMS has been granted authority to direct and coordinate permanent Regional Fugitive Task Forces
consisting of federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities for the purpose of locating and apprehending
fugitives. The authority of the USMS to investigate fugitive matters as directed by the Attorney Oeneral is set
forth in 28 USC $ 566. The Director's authority to direct and supervise all activities of the USMS is set forth in
28 USC $ 56 I (g) and 28 CFR 0. I I I . The authority of United States Marshals and Deputy U.S. Marshals, "in
executing the laws of the United States within a State . . . [to] exercise the same powers which a sheriff of the
State may exercise in executing the laws thereof is set forth in 28 USC $ 564. Additional authority is derived
from l8 USC $ 3053 and Office of Investigative Agency Policies Resolutions 2 & 15. See also Memorandum
for Howard M. Shapiro, General Counsel, Federal Bureau of Investigation conceming the "Authority to Pursue
Non-Federal Fugitives," issued by the l"I.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Offrce of Legal Counsel, dated
February 21, 1995; Memorandum concerning the "Authority to Pursue Non-Federal Fugitives," issued by the
USMS Oflice of General Counsel, dated May, l, 1995;42 U.S.C, g l69al(a)("The Attorney General shall use
the resources of Federal law enforcement, including the United States Marshals Service, to assist jurisdictions
in locating and apprehending sex offenders rvho violate sex offender registration requirements."). Additional
authority is derived from the Attomey General's Memorandum, lmplementation of National Anti-Violent
Crime Initiative (March l, 1994); Attomey General's Memorandum, Policy on Fugitive Apprehension in FBI
and DEA Cases (dated August I l, 1988); Memorandum of Understanding between the Drug Enforcement
Administration and the United States Marshals Service (dated Scptember 28,2018, or as hereafter amended);
and Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure 4l - Search and Seizure.
MISSION: The primary mission of this temporary! short term joint operation is to investigate and/or arrest
persons who have active federal, state, local, tribal, and/or territorial arrest warrants adopted by the USMS
and/or investigate those in potential violation of any federal law within the purview of the USMS. The intent of
this joint effort is to improve public safety through the targeting of violent fugitives, criminal gang members,
and/or non-compliant sex offenders, as well as gather and share street level intelligence to support larger scale
criminal investigations.
Federal fugitive cases referred through this joint operation for investigation by any participating agency must be
entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) by the tISMS or originating agency, as appropriate.
All state, local, tribal, or tenitorial cases shall be entered into NCIC (and other applicable state or local lookout
systems) as appropriate by the originating agency or the originating agencies designee. Entry of warrants, gang
members and registered sex offenders into NCIC is critical to enhance oflicer safety and to facilitate proactive
enforcement and intelligence gathering.
PERSONNEL: Administrative matters, which are internal to the participating agencies, remain the
responsibility of each respective agency. Furthermore, each agency retains responsibility for the supervision
and conduct of its personnel in this joint endeavor.
Non-USMS law enforcement officers assigned for purposes of this joint operation may be deputized as Special
Deputy U.S. Marshals when needed for Investigative or Geographic Jurisdiction.
REIMBURSEMENT: If the Marshals Service receives Asset Forfeiture furrding or other funding designated for
these purposes l) overtime incurred by state, local, tribal, or territorial investigators who provide to USMS joint
law enforcement operations; or 2) travel or training for state, local, tribal, or territorial investigators in direct
support ofjoint law e nforcement operations, the USMS shall, pending availability of funds, reimburse your
organization for expenses incurred, depending on which category of funding is provided.
Reimbursement of overtime work shall be consistent with the Fair Labor Standards Act. Annual overtime for
each state, local, tribal, or territorial law enforcement officer is capped the equivalent 25% of a GS-lII I-I2
Step l, of the generalpay scale for the Rest of United States. Reimbursement for alltypes of qualified
expenses, to include overtime for other personnel, including administrative personnel, where approved as part
of the joint operation, shall be contingent upon availability of funds and the submission of a proper request for
reimbursement which shall be submitted at the conclusion of the joint operation, and which provides the names
of the investigators or administrative personnel who incurred overtime for the joint operation; the number of
overtime hours incurred, the hourly regular and ovcrtime rates in effcct for each investigator or administrative
personnel, and the total cost. If the joint operation lasts longer than 90 days, requests should be submined
quarterly. Any request for reimbursement of overtime must be submitted to the respective USMS Chief
lnspector, Chief Deputy, or their designee, for approval. Supporting documentation must accompany requests
for reimbursement.
Reimbursement for other types of qualified expenses (i.e., investigative or travel) shall be contingent upon
availability of funds and the submission of a proper request for reimbursement. Joint operation personnel may
be required to travel outside of the jurisdiction to which they are normally assigned in furtherance of the joint
operation. State, local, tribal, or tenitorial task force oflicers (TFOs) raveling on official business at the
direction of the USMS shall be reimbursed directly by the USMS for their authorized travelexpenses in
accordance with applicable USMS policy, federal laws, rules, and regulations. Any request for reimbursement
of a qualified expense must be submitted to the respective USMS Chief Inspector, Chief Deputy, or their
designee, for approval. Supporting documentation must accompany requests for reimbursement.
Reimbarsable Fundslor all USMS approved expendilures are capped at no more than
BODY-WORN CAMERAS AND TASK FORCE OFFICERS: As per DOJ Policy, dated October29,2D20,
Body Worn Cameras (BWC) may be worn by TFOs operating on a Federal Task Force when their parent
agency mandates their use by personnel assigned to the task force. A partner agency must formally request to
participate in the TFO BWC program and, upon approval, comply with all DOJ and USMS policies, procedures,
documcntation, and reporting during their participation. Moreover, pursuant to the DOJ BWC Policy, the
USMS will inform all partner agencies of which other partner agencies, if any, have been authorized to have
their TFOs wear BWCs on the Task Force, and provide all partner agencies with a copy of the DOJ BWC
Policy. That information will be provided separately. Accordingly, all partner agencies should be aware that
TFOs may be participating in the TFO BWC program and may be operating with BWCs on USMS task force
operations in their agency's jurisdiction. Further, pursuant to the Deputy Attorney General's Memorandum
issued June 7, 2021 ("Body-Worn Camera Policy"), DOJ law enforcement components have been directed to
initiate a body-worn camera program for their respective agencies. Accordingly, all partner agencies should be
aware that USMS and other DOJ law enforcement personnel may be operating with BWCs on USMS task force
operations.
Any partner agency not covered by an existing executed USMS TFO BWC MOU Addendum or any non-partner
state, local, federal, or tribal agency are authorized to utilize their BWC during a USMS short term
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operation, or USMS led national initiative, after agreeing to share any BWC footage obtained during the operation
with the USMS upon request. Any BWC footage of a critical incident such as an Officer Involved Shooting or
other use of force leading to death will be shared as soon as possible after the incident. Other footage will only be
requested if the USMS has a mission-related requirement that can only be supported by rece ipt of the BWC
recording from the partner agency. The partner or non-partner agency engaging in the initiative or operation
acknowledges that any footage shared with the USMS is subject to federal disclosure laws and regutations,
including the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Short term operations are defined for this purpose as USMS
Enforcement related operations where a Special Deputization is issued or group Special Deputizations are
performed. These include, but are not limited to, Operation Washout, Operation Triple Beam, USMS National
Initiatives for Enforcement, or any other DOJ directed initiative that is enforcement oriented and led by the
USMS.
TFOs whose parent agency is not participating in the TFO BWC program are not authorized to deploy
with BWCs on USMS missions.
RECORDS' REPORTS' AND TESTIMONY: All investigative reports, evidence, and other materials generated,
seized, orcollected by the USMS relating to a fugitive investigation, shall be material within the custody and
control of the USMS onceany warrant is adopted by any USMS district or division. Physical evidence, such as
drugs, fireanns, counterfeit credit cards, and related items may be released to the appropriate prosecuting agency.
Records and information obtained during any USMS fugitive investigation are ordinarily not evidence and may not
be released unless authorized by the USMS Office of General Counsel (OCC). A participating agency may retain
copies of USMS investigative reports, and other documents or materials, but may only be released upon approval
of the USMS OGC and in consultation with the local U.S. Attorney's Office, if and as applicable. lf an applicable
state law mandatesthe release of records or reports pertaining to USMS activities, those documents may only be
released aftercoordination with USMS OGC.
All investigative reporting will be prepared in compliance with existing USMS policies and procedures utilizing
USMS Investigative Mission Systems. Every effort shall be made to document investigative activities on
approved USMS forms. Reports will never contain information related to sensitive USMS programs that are
deemed privileged and not subject to reporting. USMS records and documents, including reports on
enforcement and investigative activity will be maintained in USMS electronic records and/or paper case files.
Joint operation statistics will be maintained in the USMS case management systems. Statistics witlbe made
available to any participating agency upon request. This scction does not preclude the necessity of individual
TFOs completing forms required by their employing agency. However, reports documenting joint operation
related investigations or activities prepared by a TFO on their parent agency form, or authorized TFO BWC
recordings during USMS operations, and any TFO's joint operations related email or text exchanges are
deemed federal records under the control and purview of USMS, regardless of where these records are
generated or kept. If an applicable state records law mandates the disclosure ofjoint operation records, the
parent agency must coordinate with the USMS prior to any proposed disclosure. If information developed
during a USMS investigation is included in such a form, the TFO's parent agency will maintain the information
as an agent of the USMS. Docunrents containing information that identifies, or tends to identify, a USMS
confidential source, a USMS sensitive program, or the use of sensitive equipment/techniques shall not be
re leased outside of the USMS unless approved by the office of General Counsel.
No information related to USMS activities may be disseminated at any time to any third party (including a non-
task force law enforcement officer, other law enforcement agency, or prosecutor's office) by any joint
operations member without the express permission of the USMS Chief Inspector, Chief Deputy or his/lrer
designee, in consultation with USMS OGC where appropriate. This prohibition applies to formaland informal
communications, as well as reports, memoranda, or other records compiled during the course of USMS
operations. This prohibition also applies to information conveyed during any testimony. All requests for joint
operation related testimony requires compliance with the DOJ Touhy Regulations,2S C.F.R. $ 16.21, et seq.
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TFOs receiving requests to testify in federal or state court must notify the Office of General Counsel.
CONFIDENTIAL SOURCES / CONFIIIENTIAL INFORMANTS: Pending the availability of funds, the
USMS may provide funding for payment of Confidential Sources (CS) or Confidential Informants (Cl). The use
of CSlCls, registration of CSlCIs, and allpayments to CS/CIs shallcomply with USMS policy. USMS payment
to an individual providing information or "tips" related to a USMS offered reward on an active fugitive case
shall be accomplished by registering the individual or "tipster" tluough the established USMS CS payment
process.
USE OF FORCE: Allmembers of the participating agency will comply with their agencies'guidelines
concerning the use of firearms, deadly force, and less-than-lethaldevices, to include completing all necessary
training and certification requirements. All members of the joint operation will read and adhere to the DOJ
Policy Statement on the Use of Less-Than-Lethal Devices, dated May 16,201l, and their parent agencies
will review the Policy Statement to assure that they approve. Copies of all applicable firearms, deadly force,
and less+han-lethal policies shall be provided to the District Chief Deputy or IOD Chief Inspector and each
concerned TFO. In the event of a shooting involving task force personnel, the incident will be investigated by
the appropriate agency(ies).
Additionally, in the event of a shooting, the required reporting for the FBI National Use of Force Data Cotlection
(NUOFDC) should be accomplished by the involved joint operation personnel's employing agency when the
TFO is inside their primary/physicaljurisdiction and by the I-ISMS when the TFO is outside their employing
agency's primarylphysicaljurisdiction. If the employing agency wishes to submit such NUOFDC entries
regardless of the physical location of the event that is allowed under this MOU with prior written notice to the
USMS.
NEWS MEDIA: Media inquiries will be referred to the USMS Chief Inspector, Chief Deputy, or their
designee. A press release may be issued, and press conference held, upon agreement and through coordination
with participant agencies' representatives. All press releases will exclusively make reference to the joint
operation and participant agencies.
RELEASE OF LIABILITY: Each agency shallbe responsible for the acts or omissions of its employees.
Participating agencies or their employees shall not be considered as the agents of any other participating
agcncy. Nothing hercin waives, limits, or modifies any party's sovereign rights or imnrunities under applicable
law.
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE/EFFECTM DATE/TERMINATION: Once signed by all parties, this
MOU will become effective upon the commencement of the operation and terminate upon the operation's
conclusion, or when in agreement of both parties.
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0neration:
Operation Name: OFFENDER
RODEO
Operation Location: Kittitas
County, WA
start Date: llllz?0zz
End Date: lUWn022
District/Task Force: WA-E VOTF
U.S. Maruhal, Chief Denuty or Commander:
Print Nameffitle: Craig E. Thayer
Signature:
Particinatins Asencv:
Name: Kiltitas County Sheriffs Office
Location (City and State): Ellensburg, WA, WA
Particioatins Asency Aonroval Authoritv:
Print Name and Title: Clayton Myers Sheriff
Signature eryry4
O%Cv/,*'%'Date: 1110712022
Date: ll- J -zZ
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