Pinal County Sheriff Office Newsletters

May	Sheriff thanks Police Chiefs & warns of threat I wish to express my deep appreciation for your swift and immediate response in answer to our call for help during our officer involved shooting in western Pinal County. At approximately 4 PM on April 30th, Deputy Louie Purrol was tracking six drug smugglers (later known to be armed) in the remote desert area south of I-8 and west of Casa Grande, when he was ambushed and shot.
April	Early disposition court – Reforms that save millions I would like to share a success story about reform in our county government, a government who has often times been slow to adopt change. Our Superior Court, County Attorney’s Office, Public Defender, Adult Probation and Sheriff’s Office have worked together to make justice more efficient and saving our Pinal taxpayers millions in the process.
February	Pinal County 3rd best in Arizona for DUI enforcement Our Pinal County Regional DUI Task Force was created in March of 2009 and in less than one year we achieved top tier ranking of 3rd place out of all 16 DUI task forces in Arizona. Our new Motorcycle Team headed up by Sgt. Matt Thomas, worked closely with all local Police Departments. We worked 5 nights per week in December and arrested nearly 200 impaired drivers.
January	Improved response times and access to reports Emergency response from our Pinal County Sheriff’s Deputies has improved in 2009. In the past, our Deputies averaged near 15 minutes for a Priority one call. (such as a car accident with injuries, crime in progress, domestic violence or other priority emergency) This summer we improved to 13.6 minutes and we have now achieved an average of 12.5 minutes. We often arrive faster than this and certainly keep safety in mind when responding.
November	Fighting drug trafficking in Pinal County The Pinal County Narcotics Task Force (organized by your Sheriff’s Office), DEA Special Agents and the AZ Attorney General’s Office executed 10 search warrants of residential and commercial properties and arrested or had warrants issued for 33 suspects. This operation has taken down a Drug Trade Organization (DTO) operating between Mexico and Pinal County.
October	Grant awards improve service with new equipment We have improved staff training, added new technology and equipment to ensure improved safety for Pinal families. Many citizens questioned how law enforcement could improve service and purchase millions of dollars in new equipment while in an economic recession. Budgets have been reduced by 10%, many vacant staff positions frozen, or even laid off. We hired Tim Gaffney, as our grant administrator and he applied for nearly $7 million dollars in new grant funds to enhance law enforcement operations.
September	PCSO staff praised for nabbing serial rapist Much house cleaning has occurred in the Sheriff’s Office since January. Though some disagree with me, I believe it is imperative that your Sheriff’s Office is transparent. When government intentionally conceals negative information, it makes citizens suspicious. When you eventually find out, it harms the perishable trust we hold and must maintain.
August	It's time to bar convicted felons from County Government employment Government employees at every level, be it public safety employees, administrators, or clerks, have been entrusted with duties and powers that make integrity especially important. Yet, unfortunately, here in Pinal County that trust has been breached recently when convicted felons have been hired by our County Government. These situations serve as strong examples of why we should ban the hiring of convicted felons. It's time for the County Board of Supervisors to pass policy changes that prohibit the hiring of felons.
July	Accountability, tow contract, radios & recruits This week I placed two of my command staff on paid administrative leave. The incidents are not related, however all staff and certainly command-level staff will be held accountable for their actions. I have made a commitment to run a transparent, professional and accountable organization.
June	Doing what you said you would Florence, Ariz.– Actually doing what you said you would creates trust and builds credibility. During my election as your Sheriff, I asked for the opportunity to serve you. I made numerous commitments, promises and spoke of improving emergency response times, improve training, usher in more computers in patrol vehicles, hold employees accountable and step up enforcement against drug smugglers and local criminals. I view this as a sacred trust that you provided me and I shall honor that with all of my ability.
May	COPs Grant, Increase in Crime and Accountability Florence, Ariz.– With over 100 days in 2009 behind us, we continue to work to ensure we are providing the best service possible to our communities. With great budgetary concerns we have had to be efficient in the utilization of our resources and have had to research and seek additional funding resources to support our efforts.
April	Budget Cuts and Our Public Safety Florence, Ariz.– I have submitted a 3% ($484,264) budget reduction in addition to the recent 2% ($321,769.00) just made to our Sheriff’s Office. At a time when the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office requires additional staffing to meet the increasing demand for service, I am forced to reduce our budget. Public Safety must be at the top of our collective priorities. We need more Patrol Deputies to serve our increasing population and to properly address the significant rise in crime during this economic downturn.
March	New Vehicles, Training and Audits to Improve Sheriff’s Office Florence, Ariz.– The Sheriff’s Office has ordered 44 new vehicles, scheduled to arrive in the next 60 days. They come complete with new wireless computers, enabling Deputies to write reports in the field. We have 22 black and white 4X4 pick-up trucks included in this partial replacement of our aging vehicle fleet. Trucks will be dispersed evenly on every shift and throughout the county.
February	Making Improvements in Our Sheriff’s Office Florence, Ariz.– I’m very pleased and proud of the professionalism of our Deputies, Detention Officers, civilian staff and PCSO leaders during this period of transition and reform. We have created a new Traffic Team that will consist of a Motorcycle Unit. Pinal County will see our first multi-agency DUI Task Force. Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) team is another area where local Police agencies join together to pool our limited resources to address threats and criminal activity.
January	New Sheriff Plans Improved Service Florence, Ariz.– There are significant organizational changes coming to our Sheriff’s Office. I have a phased plan which is designed to improve safety and service for Pinal County families. In an organization with 700 employees, leadership becomes all the more important. That is why I’m replacing the top seven leaders and appointing professionals selected for their proven record of achievement. I have reclassified and eliminated five additional positions. This restructuring will produce $400,000 in annual salary savings