Council to take action on Resolution No. 70-26 approving the Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Avondale, City of El Mirage, City of Glendale, City of Goodyear, City or Peoria, City of Surpr

4.N
CITY OF BUCKEYE
Regular Council Meeting
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
MEETING DATE: 07/07/26
AGENDA ITEM: 4.N. PD - IGA - West
Valley Investigative Response Team
DATE PREPARED: 07/07/26
DISTRICT NO.:
STAFF LIAISON: Robert Sanders, Chief of Police, rsanders@buckeyeaz.gov,
(623) 349-6430
DEPARTMENT: Police
AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Consent Agenda
Items / New Business
ACTION/MOTION: (This language identifies the formal motion to be made by the Council) 
Council to take action on Resolution No. 70-26 approving the Intergovernmental Agreement with the City
of Avondale, City of El Mirage, City of Glendale, City of Goodyear, City or Peoria, City of Surprise, City of
Tolleson, and the Town of Wickenburg to establish the West Valley Investigative Response Team; and
authorizing the City Manager to execute and deliver said Agreement and related documents on behalf of
the City of Buckeye.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOCUS AREAS: 
A Safe and Sustainable Quality of Life
SUMMARY
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The West Valley Investigative Response Team (WVIRT) is a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement
partnership comprised of participating West Valley agencies that provides a coordinated response to
critical incidents requiring specialized investigative resources. The purpose of the agreement is to
establish a regional team of trained investigators who can assist member agencies with the investigation,
documentation, evidence collection, and management of critical incidents, including officer-involved
shootings, officer injuries, in-custody deaths, and other complex investigations.
Under the agreement, each participating agency designates at least one sworn law enforcement officer
to serve as a WVIRT member and participate in activations, training, meetings, and operational
responsibilities. When a critical incident occurs, any participating agency may request WVIRT
assistance. Team leaders coordinate the activation, designate a lead investigator and lead agency, and
deploy personnel from participating agencies to assist with the investigation. This regional approach
provides independent investigative resources, enhances objectivity, promotes consistency in
investigative practices, and allows agencies to leverage specialized expertise that may not otherwise be
available within a single jurisdiction.
The agreement outlines the governance structure, activation procedures, operational responsibilities,
cost allocation, indemnification provisions, workers' compensation coverage, and legal requirements
necessary to support the program. Each participating agency remains responsible for its own personnel
and operational costs associated with participation. The agreement will remain in effect through July 1,
2031, unless terminated in accordance with its provisions.
Approval of the IGA will authorize the City of Buckeye to continue its participation in WVIRT, ensuring
access to regional investigative resources and maintaining collaborative partnerships with neighboring
law enforcement agencies for the effective investigation of critical incidents
BENEFITS:
Participation in the West Valley Investigative Response Team provides the City of Buckeye with access

to a regional network of trained investigators and specialized resources for critical incident investigations.
Through collaboration with neighboring law enforcement agencies, Buckeye can rapidly deploy
experienced personnel to assist with complex investigations, ensuring timely, thorough, and objective
investigative outcomes.
The agreement promotes consistency in investigative practices across participating jurisdictions,
strengthens interagency cooperation, and enhances public confidence through the use of independent
investigative resources during critical incidents. Participation also allows the Buckeye Police Department
to leverage specialized expertise and staffing resources that may not be readily available within a single
agency, while sharing training opportunities and best practices with partner agencies.
Additionally, the agreement provides a cost-effective approach to maintaining critical investigative
capabilities by utilizing existing personnel and resources among participating agencies rather than
requiring each agency to independently develop and maintain comparable capabilities.
FUTURE ACTION:
Approval of the IGA will authorize the City of Buckeye to continue participation in the West Valley
Investigative Response Team (WVIRT) through the term of the agreement ending July 1, 2031.
Continued participation will ensure the Buckeye Police Department maintains access to regional
investigative resources, specialized personnel, and collaborative partnerships necessary to effectively
respond to critical incidents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT:
Approval of this agreement will continue the City's participation in the West Valley Investigative
Response Team (WVIRT). Under the terms of the agreement, each participating agency is responsible
for its own personnel, equipment, training, overtime, and operational costs associated with WVIRT
activities. The Buckeye Police Department anticipates ongoing overtime and personnel costs related to
training, meetings, and incident activations; however, these expenses are consistent with current
operations and are budgeted annually within the department's operating budget. Participation in WVIRT
provides access to regional investigative resources and specialized personnel while leveraging existing
funding and staffing resources.
CURRENT FISCAL YEAR TOTAL COST:
The Buckeye Police Department has budgeted $50,000 for WVIRT-related expenses, primarily overtime.
Continued participation is expected to remain within the department's approved operating budget while
providing access to regional investigative resources and specialized personnel necessary to support
critical incident investigations. 
BUDGETED:
Yes
FISCAL YEAR:
2027
Items related to a project or facility location must include an attached vicinity map for Council
Review.
ATTACHMENTS:
IGA_West_Valley_Investigative_Response_Team__WVIRT.docx
Resolution No. 70-26 IGA West Valley Investigative Response Team V5.pdf