Sheriff Paul Penzone is looking into the posse program at the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Executive Advisory Review committee, known as SPEAR, was first tasked with reviewing the merits of the Tent City Jail. Penzone followed its recommendation by closing the jail. Now the sheriff has asked SPEAR to look into the posse program at MCSO.
There are currently 36 posses working for the Sheriff’s Office. They are volunteer organizations that assist on operations like search and rescue, traffic control and welfare checks.
The posses are authorized by the Arizona Constitution and privately funded by donations.
Former Attorney General Grant Woods chairs the SPEAR board. It will review operations, fundraising, accountability and other aspects of the Posse program. The Sheriff’s Office did not set an end date for the analysis.
