A new initiative from Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs’ office would have state law enforcement working with border sheriffs and the federal government on transnational crime issues. But not everyone is on board just yet.
Hobbs says Operation Desert Guardian will use $28 million in state border funding and partner with sheriffs in Yuma, Cochise, Pima and Santa Cruz counties to do things like anti-drug operations. But some say they haven’t been briefed.
In a statement about the program, Yuma County Sheriff Leon Wilmot says his county already has a well-established, local narcotics task force that state entities have been asked to join. And he argues — just like past efforts like former Gov. Doug Ducey’s Border Strike Force, Hobbs’ new operation was formed without input from local law enforcement.
He says local sheriffs have years of experience in their areas to bring to collaborations, but they want to be consulted.
“The agencies of the counties mentioned in the ‘Operation Desert Guardian’ should have been involved in how this would work before putting it out to the public,” he said in an email. “We are all trying to combat these transnational organizations and we need to work together, but Sheriffs have not been part of these discussions mentioned in the press release.”
Wilmot’s asking for clarification from the governor’s office on the new plans. Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels has also said he was not briefed.
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