Four municipal police departments from Cape May County will be sending officers to help with the presidential inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20.
Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland said the Lower Township, Middle Township, North Wildwood and Wildwood police departments will be members of the Presidential Inauguration Task Force between Jan. 17 and 21.
The officers will be among 3,800 from 170-plus departments across the country participating in the task force.
The task force also includes representatives from the Secret Service, the FBI, the National Parks Service and various local, state and federal agencies.
On Monday, Dec. 16, the Lower Township Council passed a resolution authorizing a memorandum of understanding between the Lower Township Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington.
Officers will be deputized as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal for the duration of the assignment. The local officers will take “no unilateral action” but must coordinate all law enforcement action with the Metropolitan Police Department.
Lower Deputy Police Chief Donald Vanaman said that out of the five days listed under the memorandum of understanding, he anticipates the first and last will be travel days. The days leading up to the inauguration will more than likely be taken up with briefings and preparation for the event, which includes a parade followed by other events, including the inauguration gala.
“There’s a lot going on that day,” Vanaman said.
He said there are normally planned protests for Inauguration Day.
The memorandum says that participating agencies initially assume responsibility for the cost of their officers and use of their vehicles while participating in the task force. After the task force concludes its work, the departments will be fully reimbursed by the District of Columbia with U.S. general revenue funds.
The Middle Township Police Department issued a statement saying this will be the third presidential inauguration the department has been a part of.
The department is sending six officers to the capital; they will wear their regular Middle Township patrol uniforms and have all of their regularly assigned equipment.
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or call 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
