Clear Lake OKs mutual-aid MOU to provide overtime coverage for Lakeport police

The Clear Lake City Council unanimously authorized the city to enter a mutual-aid memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the City of Lakeport that will allow Clear Lake officers to provide overtime-based supplemental coverage to Lakeport when needed.

Police Chief White introduced the proposal, saying the agreement is intended to be reciprocal and to ensure that when either city needs temporary coverage it can request officers quickly and be reimbursed for direct costs. Chief Rasmussen of Lakeport told the council his department has been short-staffed and that Lakeport would like short-term overtime-based assistance starting in August when vacancies and training timelines are acute.

Detective Franklin, president of the Clear Lake Police Officers Association, said officers overwhelmingly volunteered to help, and that participation would be strictly voluntary. City Attorney explained sections of the draft agreement addressing workers’ compensation, indemnity and liability, noting the agreement was reciprocal and that the receiving agency would indemnify the lending agency for law-enforcement claims related to services provided.

Council members asked logistical questions (vehicles, mileage reimbursement, equipment and data access), and staff said officers could use either department vehicles or their own cars with mileage reimbursement and that database access would be available though dispatch remains county-run. The council voted unanimously to authorize Chief White to execute the MOU; staff said monthly invoicing will provide transparency on costs and reimbursements.