The State College Bureau of Police Services and University Police Services have never signed a mutual assistance pact -- and they did not have to.

State College Lt. Carmine Prestia said the two departments have a strong cooperative relationship. State College shares resources with the University much like it does with the Ferguson and Patton township departments -- which have signed agreements with State College police, Prestia said.

"I've been here 23 years, and it's always been like that," Prestia said, adding that both departments have a long history of helping each other with emergency situations.

One situation in which this cooperation may prove important is if an emergency occurs in one of the University-owned buildings on the south side of College Avenue. Many of these buildings are closer to the State College police station.

Although University police are supposed to respond to these calls, in a case of an emergency, Prestia said, "We would do whatever we need to ensure safety."

Cooperation is important in non-emergency situations as well, said University police supervisor Clifford Lutz.

Joint efforts are made for special events such as football games, Pennsylvania Summer Special Olympics and student arrival days.

"The departments are very closely linked and have been since 1979, when we established our joint computer system," Lutz said.

The two departments use each other's particular expertise, he said. State College police use the University's K-9 dog and hazardous waste disposal team -- the only one in Centre County. University police use State College's composite identification team most frequently, Lutz said.

But the basis for the close relationship of the two forces goes beyond the shared ownership of a computer system and the use of common radio frequencies.

The many social relationships between the departments have aided their cooperation, Lutz said.

Friendships have developed between officers from each department who participated in joint training sessions together, Lutz said.

There are other personal connections. Lutz said one of the officers on his force, Dave Jordan, has a brother who works for State College police.

"Social interaction builds trust," said Lutz, who is married to State College police Sgt. Diane Conrad.