REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
November 3, 2026
FROM
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title
Non-Financial Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Los Angeles Harbor Department for Use of the Regional Maritime Law Enforcement Training Center
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve non-financial Memorandum of Understanding, including a non-standard term, with the City of Los Angeles Harbor Department (Agreement No. 26-10257), for the use of its Regional Maritime Law Enforcement Training Center to develop training strategies for the protection of America’s waterways and ports, for a three-year term, retroactively effective September 24, 2026 through September 23, 2029, as required by the City of Los Angeles, Board of Harbor Commissioners.
(Presenter: Carolina Mendoza, Chief Deputy Director, 387-0640)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a non-financial document that defines the roles of the City of Los Angeles Harbor Department (LAHD) and the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator (Department) for the use of LAHD’s Regional Maritime Law Enforcement Training Center (RMLETC).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Approval of the MOU will enable the Department and LAHD to continue their partnership to develop training strategies for the protection of America’s waterways and ports, provide access to a law enforcement marine training facility, and provide law enforcement training opportunities for federal, state, local, rural, tribal, territorial, and other law enforcement agencies. The proposed MOU outlines the relationship and responsibilities between both parties for marine training at RMLETC, located at the Port of Los Angeles. Department staff participate in training courses at RMLETC as both instructors and students.
The Department operates a boating safety and enforcement program through its Marine Enforcement Unit that provides law enforcement services and search and rescue missions in the County’s various bodies of water, such as the Colorado River and Lake Arrowhead. The courses at RMLETC are taught by Peace Officer Standards and Training-certified instructors and include the following courses: Basic Maritime Officer, Advanced Maritime Officer, Anti-Terrorism Boat Operator, Electronic Navigation, Maritime Incident Response, Basic First Responder, Maritime Smuggling Indicators, Boating Under the Influence and Boating Accident Investigation, and Accident Reconstruction. These courses benefit Department staff by providing up-to-date skills and knowledge related to boating safety and enforcement.
The LAHD requires the Department to submit proof of insurance and, from the involved personnel, an executed Release and Waiver of Liability, and Indemnity Agreement (Agreement) form, included as Exhibit A under the recommended MOU. The Agreement is a document whereby the individuals voluntarily agree to relieve the LAHD, other agents, and agencies from any duty of care, and acknowledge the risks inherent to participation in training conducted at the RMLETC. As a matter of practicality, if injuries were to arise from authorized training, the injured personnel would be deemed as “on-duty” and working within the parameters of their official duties as Department employees covered by the County’s Workers’ Compensation insurance.
The Board of Supervisors (Board) has approved five previous MOUs between LAHD and the County for use of RMLETC, on December 15, 2015, Item No. 73; December 6, 2016, Item No. 68; January 28, 2020, Item No. 50; June 13, 2023, Item No. 77; and the most recent on October 24, 2023, Item No. 69.
The MOU and the Agreement include the following terms that differ from the standard County contract:
1. The MOU does not require LAHD to meet the County’s insurance standards, as required pursuant to County Policies 11-05, 11-07, and 11-07 SP, and instead requires the County to maintain insurance, including commercial general liability and workers' compensation and employer's liability insurance, wherein the coverage and minimum limits of liability are met by the County’s existing self-insurance program, and provide evidence of the same to LAHD; further, the County must execute a Port of Los Angeles/RMLETC Agreement for any personnel assigned as an instructor or student at the RMLETC.
• County policy requires contractors to carry appropriate insurance at limits and under conditions determined by the County’s Risk Management Department and as set forth in County policy and in the County standard contract.
• Potential Impact: The County has no assurance that LAHD will be financially responsible for claims that may arise under the MOU, which could result in expenses to the County.
While this is a notable exception to the County’s standard contract language, the Department recommends approval of the MOU with LAHD, including the non-standard term, to allow its members use of the RMLETC. County Counsel and Risk Management have reviewed and provided input.
The MOU establishes that it shall be effective for three years as of the date of its execution by LAHD’s Executive Director upon authorization of the City of Los Angeles’ Board of Harbor Commissioners, which occurred on September 24, 2026. The Department received the original signed documents on September 28, 2026. The item is being submitted to the Board for approval at the first available meeting upon completion of the required legal and Risk Management review process. Either party may terminate the MOU for any reason, with written notice to the other party 60 days before the date of termination.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Grace B. Parsons, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on October 7, 2026; Risk Management (Noel Cantrell, Administrative Supervisor, 386-8890) on October 9, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on October 16, 2026.