Approve an Intergovernmental Agreement between Cochise County and the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) authorizing USBP to assign Agents to the Sheriff's Office border crimes unit on a full time basis for the purpose of enhancing and specifically targeting crimes with a border nexus.

For years, border crimes have plagued residents of Cochise County particularly those who reside in rural areas of the county. Due to the ease in which border crime suspects can easily slip across the border both before and after committing these crimes, successful investigation and prosecution of defendants is extremely low. The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) recognizes the need for a special unit expressly designed to effectively combat the cross border criminal element. For this reason, CCSO in collaboration with the US Border Patrol has developed the South Eastern Arizona Border Enforcement Response Unit. The mission of SEABER is to narrowly focus their enforcement efforts on disrupting criminal activity with a nexus to the U.S./Mexico border, and dismantling those criminal organizations facilitating these crimes. Because of the collaborative effort, SEABER will provide a level of vigilant interdiction/enforcement followed by post arrest prosecution which has never before been achieved by either CCSO or USBP individually.

Upon approval, the Sheriff’s Office and USBP shall commit already selected personnel to SAEBER and enforcement shall commence.

If not approved, border crimes adversely affecting the quality of life of Cochise County citizens shall continue to be investigated as in the past, and border criminal organizations will continue to illegally profit at the expense of Cochise County citizens.

Upon completion, please return original copies so they may be forwarded and retained by CCSO, USBP, and Cochise County Recorders Office.