Prescott AZ (March 2, 2018) – On February 26, 2018, Sheriff Scott Mascher was invited to address US Forest Service law enforcement personnel for the Southwest Region at their annual Law Enforcement Refresher training conference held in Tucson, Arizona. The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office works closely throughout the year with local US Forest Service personnel as they carry out their mission on public lands. Responsibility for many Law Enforcement functions and all search and rescue missions on these lands belong to the Sheriff’s Office. An understanding of the cooperation in light of the unique role within each agency was addressed by Sheriff Mascher.
Some of the topics covered by the Sheriff included State law enforcement certification, providing Search and Rescue and law enforcement service on public lands, radio/data communications between agencies, fire evacuation protocols, marijuana eradication, gun ranges and clean-up issues, and multi-agency training efforts. The Sheriff also addressed the inconsistent protocols involving land closures amongst the various forest regions in the southwestern United States.
The Sheriff would like to thank James Alford, Special Agent in Charge for the Southwestern Region, and Tracy Perry, Director of US Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations out of Washington D.C., for their invitation to speak at the conference.
State Certification – Along the line of cooperation between the Sheriff’s Office and our Federal Partners, Sheriff Mascher recently authorized one-year State Certification for several line level federal law enforcement partners. The certification provides Federal Law Enforcement personnel the capability to assist YCSO deputies and detectives when requested. Sheriff Mascher approved the certification for each agency representative under his statutory authority as Sheriff. The assistance requested by YCSO personnel from these agencies in the past has been invaluable due to the scope of resources provided and otherwise unavailable. Additionally, these officers bring specific expertise associated with many of the specialized investigations conducted by YCSO at no cost to the budget.
The Sheriff would like to thank Yavapai County Superior Court Presiding Judge David Mackey for taking time out of his busy schedule to swear in the Federal Officers.
Some examples –
In the past, agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) have assisted YCSO detectives in various investigations including human trafficking, sexual exploitation of children, financial crimes, document and benefit fraud, cybercrime, etc. This agency also provides access to additional investigative personnel out of state when the urgency of a case that is crossing state lines requires immediate action. As an example – In a homicide incident last year, the suspect immediately travelled outside Arizona after killing a family member. HSI agents, utilizing technology and contacts outside the state, assisted by developing a timeline of the suspect’s travel. It was critical to locate the suspect quickly because of concern he might harm other family members. He was in fact found and arrested in California before further harm to others.
When called, US Postal Inspectors provide tools, assistance, and expertise to YCSO deputies and detectives in the area of mail fraud, mail theft, identity theft, mailbox vandalism, and prosecution efforts. Many of these crimes occur across multiple jurisdictions, and the ability to work directly with the Postal Inspector helps coordinate efforts large crime sprees.
YCSO deputies work very closely with US Forest Law Enforcement officers due to the large amount of federal forest land in Yavapai County. When necessary, USFS law enforcement officers provide assistance to our Forest Patrol detail regarding criminal investigations on forest land, search and rescue missions and directed patrol efforts to address specific concerns on these lands.
Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at 928-771-3260 or the YCSO website: www.ycsoaz.gov