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What We Do


In this section:
- Roles for the Posse
- New Posse Programs
- Common Posse Activities

What Does the Posse Do?

Roles for the Posse
From the MCSO Posse Pamphlet

For most of their history, the majority of assignments performed by the posse were search and rescue missions. Now search and rescue missions have greatly expanded to airplane units, ideally suited for desert searches. Posse particiation here is essential due to the large numbers of personnel needed when searching a large area.

Always looking for new ways to use the posses, the Sheriff now deploys them to assis the uniformed deputies on patrol. Posse members are used extensively for prisoner transport so that the beat deputies can remain on patrol. Posses also provide traffic control at accident scenes. The Q.A.P members can patrol alone or ride with regular deputies and provide vital back-up for them.

Posse members can also recieve additional training to assist in other ares such as Records and Identification, the Civil Division processing tax paperwork, the Criminal Process section processing warrant information, and other areas where additional staff is required.

Many posses are formed to serve their respective communities, notably retirement communities such as Sun City, Sun City West, and Sun Lakes. These posses perform many duties for their citizens including heading Block Watch meetings, performing neighborhood patrol, and assisting the assigned beat deputies.

New Posse Programs
The Sheriff has mobilized the posses for specialized law enforcement efforts to combat prostitution and graffiti, and to patrol shopping mals during the holiday period when use of regular deputies in these programs is prohibited due to staff and budget constraints.

In the graffiti detail, for example, posse personnel are trained to conduct undercover surveillance of known graffiti areas. Each member is assigned a location, briefed on his assignment in the operation, and issued a portable radio and other necessary equipment. Teams made up of several posse members are then supervised by a sworn deputy sherrif who will supervise the arrest. In many cases, volunteer reserve deputy sheriffs are utilized when regular deputies are not available.

Common Posse Activities
Here is a short list of the things the Posse commonly participates in, or has participated in:
  • District Patrol
  • Traffic Control
  • Sporting Events
  • Mall Patrol
  • Disaster Response (Rodeo-Chediski Fire, Cave Creek Complex Fire)
  • Search and Rescue
  • Child Identification/Fingerprinting
  • Deadbeat Parent Roundup
  • Serving Warrants
  • Sheriff's Escort
  • Parades
  • Motorcycle Charity Run
  • Bicycle Registration
  • Block Watch