Supervisors approve law enforcement agreement for Pala reservation

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved an agreement for the County of San Diego to provide law enforcement services on the Pala Indian Reservation.

The supervisors' 5-0 vote March 13 authorizes a revenue agreement with the Pala tribe in which the county provides one additional law enforcement officer in and around the Pala reservation and the tribe reimburses the county for the costs to provide a Sheriff's deputy. The agreement is for three years with Pala reimbursing the county $172,116 for the first fiscal year.

"This new contract will not only improve public safety in the area and help us better serve the needs of the community, but it is also a great partnership between our Sheriff's Department and Pala," said Supervisor Bill Horn.

The first-year amount covers $79,486 for salaries and benefits, $62,316 for capital assets equipment, and $30,314 for services and supplies. The cost and corresponding reimbursement for the second and third years will be adjusted based on negotiated salary increases and other adjustments or service level changes. The agreement covers the period beginning April 1, 2018, and ending March 30, 2021.

The county and the Pala tribe first approved a law enforcement services agreement to provide Sheriff's deputies at Pala in 2001. That agreement was for a two-year term, as were the 2003 and 2005 agreements. In 2007 the county approved a five-year agreement for law enforcement services at Pala.