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
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.
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 issued Administrative Order No. 2017-4.2 titled Security and Operations of Court Facilities to address security concerns and the carrying of firearms and weapons in court facilities.
On September 12, 2022, Administrative Order No. 2017-4.2 was repealed and replaced by Administrative Order No. 2022-10.2. 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 December 2, 2020, 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 City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
Strategic Plan
Safe Community
Financial Impact
Not applic...
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