Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone has ordered the suspension of Sheriff’s Posse operations to allow for a new evaluation of volunteers participating in the program.

On January 25 Sheriff Penzone announced that, going forward, all posse members will have to undergo a background check process to ensure the safety of the communities they serve.

This announcement included a temporary suspension of volunteer posse enforcement activities by individual posse members while completing the background process.

This announcement was not related in any way to the audits of MCSO firearms, according to Penzone.

“Enforcement activities” include any action where the posse member is displaying MCSO insignia and is therefore acting with the authority of law enforcement. This includes “welfare checks” or “vacation watch” at a residence, as well as crime scene security, traffic control, etc.

Enforcement activities are separate and distinct from the QAP (Qualified Armed Posse) designation, which simply denotes whether that posse member may carry a firearm while on enforcement duty.

Each Posse member will be allowed to return to enforcement duties as soon as they have completed the background process. MCSO will prioritize checking the background of posse members in roles important to public safety and those who have demonstrated a commitment to serving their community.

MCSO Capt. Larry Kratzer, commander for the Fountain Hills District 7 substation, said he has asked for a priority review for a posse member who does transportation shuttles between the district and downtown facilities.

During an audit of posse qualifications, it was found that poor record-keeping had resulted in some unqualified individuals being allowed to continue participating in posse activities. For example: individuals with prior arrests and/or convictions for domestic violence, drug offenses, sex offenses and other criminal activity. Those individuals have already been removed from the posse.

While these individuals by no means represent the majority of posse members, MCSO has a duty to ensure that every posse member in an enforcement role has undergone a similar background check process as our deputy, detention, and civilian employees.

A detailed summary of the background process for each type of posse member includes the following:

*Qualified Armed Posse (QAP) - background interview, a polygraph, a psychological exam and a U/A (drug screen). Background re-checked every two years.

*Basic and Intermediate Training Levels (Non-QAP enforcement) - background interview and a polygraph. Background re-checked every two years.

*Search and Rescue, non-enforcement, non QAP - background interview. Re-checked every two years.

*Non-enforcement posse - background interview. Re-checked every two years.