Members of the Arizona Rangers look like law enforcement — they wear badges, carry sidearms and work in support of actual police.
But Republican Sen. Mark Finchem and Wendy Rogers have introduced Senate Bill 1071, which would strip some of the group’s privileges from state law.
The state officially recognizes the Arizona Rangers as a law enforcement support group with a history dating back to territorial days. But it does not grant them police powers.
The new bill would remove the Rangers’ recognition in statute, as well as the group’s ability to act as security guards without a state license.
Finchem is a former police officer and introduced the bill following accusations that the group’s commander falsely claimed experience as a K-9 unit and SWAT leader.
The organization has not responded to a request for comment, but in a social media statement said the allegations are factually inaccurate.
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