LETTER TO RESTRUCTURE 09-03-2013.PDF

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MARICOPA COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE
JOSEPH M. ARPAIO
SHERIFF
Date: September 3, 2013
To: Andrew Kunasek, Chairman, District 3
Denny Barney, Supervisor, District I
Steve Chucri, Supervisor, District 2
Clint L. Hickman, Supervisor, District 4
MaryRose Garrido Wilcox, Supervisor, District 5
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From: Joseph M. Arpaio, Sheriff
R.J. Cardin, Parks and Recreation Director CA) ff,
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Subject: Restructuring Parks Law Enforcement Program
In September 2003 the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department (Parks) recommended the
transfer of responsibility for providing law and park rule enforcement services on all county park lands
to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) under a set of terms and conditions outlined in a letter
agreement dated September 10, 2003, from Sheriff Joseph Arpaio and William Scalzo (Letter
Agreement) and as approved by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors in the amended Agenda Item
Number: C-30-04-002-8-00. At that time, the Park Police program was disbanded and MCSO set up a
Mountain Patrol to serve the needs of the Mountain Parks, and Recreation and Conservation Areas. The
Lake Patrol was responsible for on-water law enforcement at Lake Pleasant Regional Park. The original
transfer in 2003 included 17 park police staff.
In 2012, the County contracted with MGT America to conduct a staffing study for all activities within
MCSO, which included Mountain Patrol and Lake Patrol duties. One recommendation of the study was
to combine the Mountain Patrol and Lake Patrol into one Division. MCSO and Parks Department are in
general agreement with this recommendation under the following terms and conditions:
1. It is expressly understood that MCSO will possess sole jurisdiction and responsibility for
providing law enforcement and public safety services on all the County Parks, Recreation Areas,
Trails and Conservation Areas.
2. The MGT study recommended 9 officers for patrolling the Mountain Parks which should be used
as a baseline minimum for park patrol and safety. The current parks being patrolled by the
Mountain Patrol include White Tank, Estrella, Buckeye Hills, McDowell, Usery, San Tan and
Adobe Dam. Lake Pleasant, Cave Creek and Spur Cross Ranch are being served by the Lake
Patrol Division. Additional patrol staff will be needed when Vulture Mountain Park is open.
3. In conjunction with the guiding statutes, missions and duties of the parties herein, the following
general services will be provided by the MCSO for Parks:
Wells Fargo Plaza • 100 West Washington • Suite 1900 • Phoenix, Arizona 85003
(602) 876-1000 • Statewide Toll Free 1-800-352-4553 • WWW.MCSO.ORG

a. General law enforcement and public safety services, including search and rescue and
emergency medical
b. A regularly scheduled presence in all County Parks, Recreation Areas, Trails and
Conservation Areas, especially during peak seasons, weekends and evenings to promote
a sense of safety among park visitors and deter vandalism
c. Parks rule enforcement and education to include fee enforcement
d. Search and rescue services
e. Periodic special event law enforcement and traffic control for Parks events
f. Frequent and timely coordination and communication with Parks and park staff
g. Coordination with and training for volunteer organizations to foster goodwill and safety
with various user groups to include equestrian, hiking and mountain bike groups to
assist in trail patrol and rule education efforts
h. A Parks Patrol Division and organization structure will be developed including a staffing
model, by the Sheriffs Office in coordination with the Parks Department. MCSO Staffing
schedules will be provided to Parks on a regular basis and coordinated with Parks to
accommodate visitation patterns.
This memo shall serve to replace the Letter Agreement signed on September 10, 2003. This agreement
shall be reviewed every five years. If in the opinion of the parties the performance and service is in the
best interest of the citizens of Maricopa County the agreement shall remain in place pending the next
five year review. The Board of Supervisors at its sole discretion may terminate this agreement and
revert to the original means of providing Parks law enforcement through a5lackpolice program under
the direction of the Parks and fiecreation Department.
R.J. Carelin, Director Joseph M. Arpaio, Sheriff
Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Maricopa County Sheriffs Office
Department