NC H629

Authorizes North Carolina law enforcement agencies to enter into mutual aid agreements with out-of-state law enforcement agencies, subject to reciprocal legal authorization in those states.

Out-of-state officers temporarily assisting under mutual aid agreements receive the same jurisdiction, powers, rights, privileges, and immunities as North Carolina officers, plus defense of civil actions and judgment payment coverage.

Out-of-state officers remain under the control of their home agency for personnel and administrative purposes but are subject to lawful operational commands from the requesting agency.

Out-of-state officers are entitled to workers' compensation and benefits equivalent to those provided for normal duties while acting under mutual aid authority.

Amendments clarify that "law enforcement agency" definitions include municipal police departments, county police departments, and sheriff's offices of other states when those states authorize reciprocal mutual aid.