Police chief briefs council on ATF database MOU; council agrees to sponsor resolution

Chief Preever told the council the MOU formalizes access to the ATF's 'crime gun' database and authorizes designated local law-enforcement personnel to use the system for investigations. "This MOU allows us or specific people in my department to go into that database at any time, which is free to us and look at the information they have to help us with investigations," he said, noting Aberdeen already participates and the agreement spells out ATF usage guidelines and training requirements.

Council members indicated support for introducing and adopting the resolution at the next meeting; one councilor volunteered to sponsor the resolution immediately and another accepted sponsorship. Staff said the MOU is intergovernmental and can be adopted the same day it is introduced if council chooses to do so.