I’m not used up yet. Given the totality of events, experiences and circumstances, I find myself, Cochise County, and our nation in a situation that begs for institutional knowledge, leadership and courage that I feel uniquely qualified to bring to the effort. I cannot walk away from the fight, not yet.

Without question, securing our nation’s border is a federal responsibility. Sadly, their long term failure to meet this obligation results in the associated problems falling squarely in the lap of local citizens. It then follows that it is my responsibility to help mitigate the damage by providing not only the best law enforcement team we can build, but to continue to bring every possible force to bear on those who are ultimately responsible for the long term solution. It has been a huge investment of time and resources, but all our work in Cochise County has resulted in Washington finally hearing our cries and paying attention to what we say. This political season is the time to see the fruits of our labors.

In addition to the added burden of addressing smuggling and human trafficking crimes, we investigate the full compliment of criminal activity as do all law enforcement agencies across the nation. Property crimes--burglary, theft, document fraud, identity theft, criminal damage are all included in the full array of responses to calls for service. In addition domestic violence has been on the rise for many years, much of it associated with drug, alcohol and prescription medication abuse. Fortunately, we haven’t seen a meth lab in Cochise County for about 4 years now, although it continues to be the heinous drug it has always been, its source being large production labs in Mexico.

This is a mess. Our jail has been overcrowded for many years now. Unfortunately, the only way to fund expansion would be to float a bond, and Cochise County Taxpayers are rightfully in no mood to pay more taxes. Now the State is trying to balance its budget on the backs of Counties by sending certain classifications of prisoners currently assigned to State prison back to the counties. The estimated cost to Cochise County would be about $1.2 million a year, plus add approximately 40 inmates to an already overrun facility. Our current options are; repeal the bill, pay the State to house them, or pay other counties per diem for housing. Given the current climate, we are not going to send a single penny to the state, but will house them in adjoining counties who have space, while we work on repealing the law.

We have come a long way the past 15 years. Improvements in technology, training and acquisition of the best tools available, we have built a strong, professional organization that is as capable, dedicated and committed to bringing the finest efforts we can muster to the table. That said, this job, I have learned, is like shaving…no matter how well you do it today, you must do it all over again tomorrow. We do not rest on our laurels, but greet each new challenge as an opportunity for growth, learning and improvement.

The economy. While we have brought millions of dollars in grants into the county to bolster our efforts and make infrastructure and equipment improvements, these are rapidly diminishing. We will continue to be challenged to meet the expectations of those we serve with the same number of personnel we currently have. This, although every study and even the most non-discriminating observer can tell you we should be staffed by at least 1/3 more than current levels in all departments. Our success in meeting this challenge lies on the back of a motivated and dedicated staff, who have consistently demonstrated their willingness and ability to step up to the plate.