State of Arizona Celebrates 100 Years

Updated: 2/11/2012 8:30 AM

THE SHERIFF’S POSSE OF SUN CITY

SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY:

xcept for watching western movies, many were completely unaware of the modern Posse concept when they moved to Arizona. Residents of Sun City, Sun City West, and many other communities have observed Maricopa County Sheriff’s vehicles patrolling their streets along with the shopping centers. The question is; who actually are Posse and who are Deputy Sheriffs?

Sheriff Joe Arpaio decided many years ago that there would be no obvious distinction between Posse and Deputy Patrol vehicles. The criminals and wrong doers may not notice the difference and as a result they stay away from the heavily patrolled areas of Sun City, Sun City West and many other communities augmented by the trained Posse members.

There are many organized and authorized Posses, and they are located throughout Maricopa County—some in cities—and some in unincorporated areas. The end result of having over 3,000 uniformed volunteers is huge. Posse patrols augment the Deputy patrols causing a higher presence of perceived Law Enforcement. Posse members observe their assigned areas as trained; and report circumstances to the District Deputy Sheriffs. The result is always a safer community.

Note that Posse members are not Law Enforcement officers. The Sun City Posse is not a Law Enforcement Agency. However Posse members who work with a Regular Compensated Deputy Sheriff can do any task with appropriate authority when authorized to do so.

Posse members are volunteers and receive no pay from the County or community they serve. Many are average citizens who wish to provide a service to the persons in their patrol areas. There are a few that are former or retired police officers. A select few Posse members have completed intensive training at the Maricopa Sheriff’s Academy, and can expertly carry and deploy handcuffs, pepper spray and Tasers. These are defensive tools and are present only to protect Posse personnel.

Some Advanced Posse members move on to a higher qualification: QAP. This stands for Qualified Armed Posse. To obtain this qualification, a candidate must pass an eight to ten hour written psychological test, another stress test based on movie scenarios, an intensive drug test, an interview based on test results with a Psychologist and an intense course of physical training. The training consists of advanced defensive tactics, being drenched with Pepper or O.C. spray, weapons retention and advanced police tactics. Finally the candidate that passes the rigorous physical course will move to the range and qualify with a firearm. Posse members must qualify with their personally purchased duty pistols to Arizona POST law enforcement standards. This means that a QAP Posse person has met the requirements that a regular Arizona Police Officer must pass. This includes the necessary mindset all law enforcement officers must have to survive a deadly threat in the field.

For many of the duties in Sun City, possessing a firearm is not necessary, and this is a very safe endeavor that the Member’s family can be comfortable with. The assigned duties do not place Sun City Posse members in harms way. A possible threat to Posse safety will be intercepted by the Shift Field Duty Officer and a warning to stay away from a crime scene or threat will be issued via two way radio.

Our members have commented that this duty is interesting, challenging, and worthwhile. Many Posse members in Sun City Posse have lost count of the actual lives that they were instrumental in saving in the event of a medical, welfare, or traffic accident emergency. The Posse is an additional layer of trained personnel. The eyes and ears of Sun City Posse volunteers augment the Deputies ability to provide security and protection for the residents and also visitors of this Retirement Community. In short, it is a great job to volunteer for. The Posse Member experiences tend to sharpen and stimulate both mind and body.

Consider joining our Posse. It is a very rewarding experience. The posse helps the Sun City residents on a daily basis, and due to dedicated presence; comforts, serves, and even saves lives. Call Earl Warren at the Posse Headquarters and find out why this is true. Our phone number is 623-972-2555

You can also go to the Home Page, and click on [Join Us]

Click here to return to Home Page: