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Title:
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Approve the Memorandum of Understanding By and Between the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and the City of North Port, Florida, on Behalf of the North Port Police Department Regarding Carrying Firearms and Weapons in Court Facilities.
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TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve the Memorandum of Understanding By and Between the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and the City of North Port, Florida, on Behalf of the North Port Police Department Regarding Carrying Firearms and Weapons in Court Facilities.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve the Memorandum of Understanding by and between the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and the City of North Port, Florida, on behalf of the North Port Police Department regarding carrying firearms and weapons in court facilities.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve the Memorandum of Understanding by and between the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and the City of North Port, Florida, on behalf of the North Port Police Department regarding carrying firearms and weapons in court facilities.
* Pros: Uniformed armed officers provide an extra layer of safety and security for the judicial system, especially in the event of an active shooter or threat occurring within the courtrooms.
* Cons: Officers would remain unarmed in an environment where a potential threat may arise, leaving them unable to take necessary actions to protect themselves or to subdue/neutralize a threat within the courthouse.
Option 2: Deny the Memorandum of Understanding by and between the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and the City of North Port, Florida, on behalf of the North Port Police Department regarding carrying firearms and weapons in court facilities.
* Pros: Reduces the likelihood of a use of force incident against the Department should an event occur that requires decisive action or force.
* Cons: Officers will need to secure their weapons and firearms prior to entering the secured facility, making them vulnerable to taking action against a potential threat. The North Port Police Department would be the only agency in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit prohibited from carrying firearms inside the court facilities.
Background Information
The Chief Judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit is responsible for regulating the use of all court facilities within the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, which encompasses DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties in Florida. In this capacity, the Chief Judge amended Administrative Order No. 2022-10.2 titled Security and Operations of Court Facilities to address security concerns and the carrying of firearms and weapons in court facilities.
On May 6, 2025, Administrative Order No. 2022-10.2 was repealed and replaced by Administrative Order No. 2025-03.2. The new Administrative Order prescribes the manner in which North Port Police Officers can carry firearms and weapons in court facilities and requires the City's execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office. This MOU will supersede the current MOU with the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office dated September 18, 2023, and will remain in effect until terminated in writing by either party.
The Memorandum of Understanding by and between the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and the City of North Port, Florida, on behalf of the North Port Police Department regarding carrying firearms and weapons in court facilities has been reviewed by the Interim City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Safe Community
Financial Impact
Not applicable.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. MOU - Carrying Firearms and Weapons in Court Facilities - 2025
2. MOU - Carrying Firearms and Weapons in Court Facilities - 2023
Prepared by: Christopher Morales, Deputy Chief of Police
Department Director: Todd R. Garrison, Chief of Police