Mutual-aid agreement

Members of the Constantine Village Council voted to have the village participate in a 2014 St. Joseph County mutual-aid, police-assistance agreement.

The agreement is a collaboration among the St. Joseph County Sheriff ‘ s Department and agencies from Sturgis, Burr Oak, Centreville, Colon, Constantine, Mendon, Three Rivers and White Pigeon.

Village manager Mark Honeysett said neighboring communities have always lent assistance to one another, formally and informally. The agreement means Constantine may render assistance to any of the participating agencies under certain circumstances.

Honeysett, who also serves as chief of police, said the agreement states the requesting agency does not need to compensate the other responders, as the mutual advantage of the arrangement is adequate compensation, he said.