Lower Merion's Police Committee voted unanimously on Wednesday, Oct. 7, to recommend a renewed five-year policing agreement with Narberth Borough.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) spells out how the Lower Merion Police Department provides backup patrols, lockup access, animal control and training to Narberth. The full Board of Commissioners is expected to vote on the agreement at its next meeting, though a date has not been confirmed.

The committee vote, first reported by Mainline Media News, came after Police Superintendent Andrew Block told members the agreement is required under Pennsylvania's Municipal Police Officers Jurisdiction Act and the department's own accreditation standards.

Block explained that Lower Merion officers are sworn in both Lower Merion and Narberth, while Narberth officers are sworn only in the borough. Municipal boundaries remain unchanged.

"We can make arrests, but the borough officers do not leave and come into Lower Merion unless there's a request from a supervisor for mutual aid," Block said at the Oct. 7 meeting.

Commissioner Dr. Rosman chaired the Police Committee session. Commissioner Kramer seconded the motion. No residents spoke on the item.

The township described the MOU as a renewal, though the terms of the prior agreement have not been made public.

What the agreement covers

Under the MOU, Lower Merion police will provide:

  • Backup patrols when Narberth officers are unavailable
  • Shift coverage during Narberth staffing shortfalls
  • Investigative help on serious felony cases
  • Use of the township's lockup and arrest processing
  • Access to in-house training
  • Animal control services

Either agency can terminate the agreement with at least 90 days' notice.

Each department keeps responsibility for disciplining and compensating its own officers. Each agency also retains financial and civil liability for its employees' actions, with a mutual obligation to cooperate and indemnify the other for claims arising under the MOU.

The agreement includes a media policy restricting public comment on jointly investigated matters. All media inquiries would be referred to the department head with investigative jurisdiction at the time. Radio communications for both departments are handled by the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety.

Residents can check the township's website for the date of the next Board of Commissioners meeting, when the full vote is expected.