Action 16.
Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting
County Sheriff
- Meeting Date:
- 10/15/2024
- Title:
- SWAT Regionalization and Undercover Officer Protection
- Submitted By:
- Curtis Wilkins, County Sheriff
- Department:
- County Sheriff
Presentation:
No A/V Presentation
Recommendation:
Approve
Document Signatures:
BOS Signature Required
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
2
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Curtis Wilkins
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Lieutenant
Mandated Function?:
Not Mandated
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
You will use this Agenda Item template if your item involves a Grant (whether a new or renewal grant). You also must attach the Grant Approval Form to the item before Finance will approve it. Select the SPECIAL LINKS on your left-hand menu and Click on "Grant Approval Form". Then complete the form, save it and attach it to your item (on the Attachments tab).
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Approve Subrecipient Grant Agreement 240401-01 between the Department of Homeland Security and the Cochise County Sheriff's Office, to purchase ballistic helmets, ballistic vests, and send operators to sniper school, in the amount of $24,903, effective October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025.
Background:
This project, SWAT Regionalization and Undercover Officer Protection, provides tactical resources
and personnel for high-risk situations that go beyond the abilities of a normal police response,
and provides protection for undercover officers conducting investigations into drug and human
smuggling related to the Mexican border. The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office currently sustains a
SWAT team allocated for twenty (20) tactical personnel, five (5) Medics from Fry Fire Department,
and five (5) crisis negotiators.This year we have two (2) signed agreements, one with the Benson Police Department and one with the
Bisbee Police Department to allow their personnel to become members of the SWAT team as operators
and crisis negotiators. Additionally, this year (2024) we are working to expand this
regionalization concept to the Willcox Police Department and the Sierra Vista Police Department in
an effort to establish a tier 1 SWAT team mirrored after National Tactical Officers Association
standards (NTOA). Furthermore, investigations into drug and human smuggling have led to over 17 undercover officer (UC)
involved investigations requiring a Personnel Rescue Team (PRT). This unforeseen increase in UC
investigations, due to increased smuggling and drug activity, has strained our operator’s ability
to cover operations demonstrating another reason to increase the SWAT team’s size to cover the
needs of our investigative units. The purchase of additional SWAT equipment and specialized
training is a necessity to increase the capabilities of the team. The regionalized team is and will
continue to be available to all adjoining counties to Cochise County, seven (7) municipalities in
Cochise County, the Department of Public Safety, US Customs and Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement
Agency and all federal partners.
and personnel for high-risk situations that go beyond the abilities of a normal police response,
and provides protection for undercover officers conducting investigations into drug and human
smuggling related to the Mexican border. The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office currently sustains a
SWAT team allocated for twenty (20) tactical personnel, five (5) Medics from Fry Fire Department,
and five (5) crisis negotiators.This year we have two (2) signed agreements, one with the Benson Police Department and one with the
Bisbee Police Department to allow their personnel to become members of the SWAT team as operators
and crisis negotiators. Additionally, this year (2024) we are working to expand this
regionalization concept to the Willcox Police Department and the Sierra Vista Police Department in
an effort to establish a tier 1 SWAT team mirrored after National Tactical Officers Association
standards (NTOA). Furthermore, investigations into drug and human smuggling have led to over 17 undercover officer (UC)
involved investigations requiring a Personnel Rescue Team (PRT). This unforeseen increase in UC
investigations, due to increased smuggling and drug activity, has strained our operator’s ability
to cover operations demonstrating another reason to increase the SWAT team’s size to cover the
needs of our investigative units. The purchase of additional SWAT equipment and specialized
training is a necessity to increase the capabilities of the team. The regionalized team is and will
continue to be available to all adjoining counties to Cochise County, seven (7) municipalities in
Cochise County, the Department of Public Safety, US Customs and Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement
Agency and all federal partners.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
If approved, the Sheriff's Department will move forward with the purchase of the ballistic helmets, ballistic vests, and send at least 2 operators to sniper school.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
We will not purchase the ballistic helmets, ballistic vests or send operators to sniper school and continue our search for other funding sources.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
Please complete/sign two original documents (240401-01 Cochise CO SO SRA) and we will send them
to the Arizona Department of Homeland Security.
to the Arizona Department of Homeland Security.