Sandy Springs OKs police mutual aid with Brookhaven

A police mutual aid agreement with Brookhaven has been approved by the Sandy Springs City Council. AJC FILE / BEN GRAY/BGRAY@AJC .COM

A police mutual aid agreement with Brookhaven has been approved by the Sandy Springs City Council. AJC FILE / BEN GRAY/BGRAY@AJC .COM

The Sandy Springs City Council has approved a mutual aid and assistance agreement for its police department and the police of neighboring Brookhaven.

The pact, similar to that approved in June with Dunwoody, pledges cooperation upon request in emergencies, accidents, criminal investigations and other law enforcement matters if circumstances “exceed the immediate resources, skill and equipment capacities of either city,” according to a memo to the council from City Manager John McDonough.

Possible mutual aid scenarios, McDonough said, include “civil disturbances, large protest demonstrations, aircraft disasters, fires, natural or man-made disasters, sporting events, concerts, parades, escapes from detention facilities, and incidents requiring utilization of specialized units or equipment, including special weapons and tactics (SWAT).”

Each city will be responsible for its own employees’ compensation, benefits and injuries. There is no liability for failure to respond. The agreement runs through Dec. 31 and automatically renews annually.