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KIRKSVILLE, MISSOURI -- Many of our Facebook fans wanted to know if police officers have jurisdiction outside of city limits.  

In Adair county, under a Intergovernmental Agreement for Mutual Aid, Kirksville police officers are permitted to respond to calls outside of the city limits if the Sheriff's Office asks for assistance.  

KTVO talked to Adair County Sheriff Bob Hardwick, who shared with us more on the agreement. He said that both agencies entered the agreement on Aug. 12 because there was a need for both agencies to support each in manpower shortage situations. In order for the agreement to work, Kirksville police officers were commissioned as deputy sheriffs. 

Sheriff Hardwick said he is pleased with the agreement thus far and said it functions very well in various situations.

"Emergency situations, hazardous situations, safety issues, life threatening situations, that we face everyday," said Hardwick.  "We have to be able to use the resources of all of our agencies to put them together to come to a resolution."

Hardwick said the Kirksville Police Department's first priority is to respond to calls within the city limits and to enforce city traffic laws and ordinances. But, if there is a manpower shortage, the police officers are now commissioned to assist the sheriffs in the county.

To read the document, click here.