FINAL MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING 04-06-2026 FOR SIGNATURE.PDF

AGREEMENT FOR RESOURCES TO COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING 
Between Grand Canyon University 
and 
Maricopa County, through the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office 
 
1. PARTIES   
This Agreement for Resources to Combat Human Trafficking (“Agreement”) is entered into 
by and between Grand Canyon University (GCU) Public Safety Department and Maricopa 
County, acting through the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO).  
 
2. PURPOSE   
The purpose of this Agreement is to establish the terms under which MCAO will provide the 
equipment listed in Appendix A to GCU for use in Anti‑Human Trafficking Suppression 
Activities and other authorized crime‑suppression operations within Maricopa County. 
 
3. STATEMENT OF MUTUAL BENEFITS AND INTERESTS  
The Parties share a mutual commitment to enhancing public safety, combating human 
trafficking, and supporting coordinated law‑enforcement efforts within Maricopa County. 
By providing GCU with access to specialized equipment, MCAO benefits through 
strengthening regional operational capacity and supporting collaborative initiatives to 
protect vulnerable populations. This partnership promotes efficient resource utilization, 
improves investigative and suppression capabilities, and advances the shared goal of 
reducing criminal activity and enhancing community safety. 
 
4. RESPONSIBILITIES 
a. MCAO Responsibilities 
- MCAO will permit the GCU Public Safety Department to use the equipment listed in 
Exhibit A attached hereto within its law enforcement jurisdiction for crime suppression and 
community‑safety operations upon request as specified below when such equipment is 
available. MCAO determines the availability of any of the listed equipment in its sole 
discretion.

- MCAO will not provide instruction, training, or certification to officers in the use or 
operation of the equipment. 
 
b. GCU Responsibilities 
- GCU may request to borrow and utilize available equipment listed in Exhibit A in 
coordination with and pursuant to communication with the MCAO Investigations Division 
via email or phone.  
 
Michael Meislish 
 
 
 
 
Brent Coombs 
Commander  
 
 
 
 
Investigations Chief 
602-506-5338 
 
 
 
 
602-506-3847 
cell: 602-552-4462  
 
 
 
cell: 602-908-4464 
meislism@mcao.maricopa.gov 
 
 
coombsb@mcao.maricopa.gov 
 
-GCU will defend and hold MCAO, including Maricopa County, its elected officials, officers, 
agents, and employees, harmless for any and all costs, claims, damages, injuries, death, 
property damage, or penalties to the extent such are caused by the negligence or willful 
misconduct of GCU, its officers, employees, or agents, arising from or related to GCU’s use 
or operation of the equipment.  GCU shall have no obligation to indemnify MCAO for the 
negligence or willful misconduct of MCAO. 
- GCU will ensure that its officers are appropriately trained and hold all required 
certifications and licensures before operating the equipment.   
- GCU will provide secure docking, storage, or housing for the equipment and properly 
maintain the equipment while it is in GCU’s possession.    
- GCU shall return any equipment to MCAO when it is no longer needed for operational use 
by GCU or within 30 days of a request by MCAO to return the equipment. 
All Equipment must be returned in the same condition as it was received by GCU. 
GCU shall be responsible for repairing or replacing (at MCAO's discretion) any equipment 
that is lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed while in GCU’s possession.

5. POINTS OF CONTACT 
 
Grand Canyon University  
Mark Heimall   
Police Chief, Public Safety Department 
602‑639‑8309   
mark.heimall1@gcu.edu   
 
Maricopa County Attorney’s Office  
Brent Coombs   
Investigations Chief   
602‑908‑4464   
coombsb@mcao.maricopa.gov   
 
6. OTHER PROVISIONS   
Nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with current law, regulation, or the internal 
policies or directives of GCU or MCAO. Should such a conflict arise, applicable law and 
governing policies shall control. 
 
7. NATURE OF AGREEMENT  
This Agreement does not constitute or create a partnership, joint venture, agency 
relationship, or any other formal business association. The rights and obligations of the 
Parties are limited solely to those expressly stated herein. 
 
8. LIABILITY AND APPLICABLE LAW  
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Arizona.

Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of any immunity, defense, or 
limitation of liability available under Arizona law, including but not limited to A.R.S. §§ 
12‑820 et seq. (Actions Against Public Entities and Public Employees). 
Nothing in this Agreement obligates either Party to allocate or expend funds beyond what is 
expressly stated herein. 
 
9. EMPLOYMENT STATUS   
The Parties acknowledge that no employee, officer, or agent of GCU participating in 
activities under this Agreement shall be considered an employee of the County or MCAO 
for any purpose. GCU shall remain solely responsible for all salaries, wages, benefits, 
withholdings, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and any other obligations 
related to its personnel. GCU shall hold the County and MCAO harmless from any claims 
arising from such commitments. Employees of each Party remain employees of their 
respective employer for all purposes. Any employee injured in the course and scope of 
activities conducted under this Agreement may seek benefits exclusively under their 
employer’s workers’ compensation program pursuant to A.R.S. Title 23, Chapter 6 (Arizona 
Workers’ Compensation Act). 
 
10. EFFECTIVE DATE   
This Agreement becomes effective upon the date of the final signature of the Parties. 
 
11. MODIFICATION   
This Agreement may be modified only through the mutual written consent of the Parties. 
 
12. TERMINATION   
This Agreement will remain in effect until June 30, 2027, unless terminated earlier by 
mutual written agreement of the Parties. The Agreement may be extended upon mutual 
written consent.

APPROVED BY:  
 
 
        Grand Canyon University 
 
_____________________________________________________ 
__________________________ 
GCU Legal Counsel   
 
 
 
 
 
Date 
 
_____________________________________________________ 
__________________________ 
Chief Mark Heimall  
 
 
 
 
 
Date 
 
 
 
Maricopa County:  
 
_____________________________________________________ 
__________________________ 
Rachel Mitchell, Maricopa County Attorney 
 
 
Date 
 
 
_____________________________________________________ 
__________________________ 
Kate Brophy McGee, Chair,   
 
 
 
 
Date  
Maricopa County Board of Supervisors 
 
 
 
ATTEST:  
_____________________________________________________ 
__________________________ 
Juanita Garza, Clerk of the Board, Maricopa County 
 
Date 
 
Approved as to form:  
 
_____________________________________________________ 
__________________________ 
Deputy County Attorney 
 
 
 
 
 
Date

Item Description
Manufacturer
Model
Quantity
Restrictions/Requirments
Included Components
Drone
Axon
1
Drone operator must have a current 
certifications to operate
SINGLE FINGERPRINT SCANNER & CAMERA 
WITH PROTECTIVE CASE
IDEMIA 
IDENT 2.0
5
Solar Trailer 
ALCP/Starlink
2
Covert Camera Streetlights/Pole Cameras 
Asset Security and Tracking 
Recovery
10
Covert Camera Streetlights/Pole Cameras Bottom Mount
Asset Security and Tracking 
Recovery
10
Appendix A – Available Equipment