In recent weeks several of Arizona’s County Sheriffs have been named to key roles at the state and national level, a testament to the level of expertise and professionalism exhibited by Arizona’s elected sheriffs.
Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb was selected by his peers to represent them on Governor Ducey’s Narcotics Crisis Panel. This panel was convened as the Governor’s office works to address the opioid epidemic in Arizona. Arizona’s sheriffs are often first responders to those dealing with opioid addiction and Sheriff Lamb will serve on one of the Arizona Department of Health Services subgroups to ensure that issues related to law enforcement are appropriately addressed.
At the recent National Sheriffs Association Conference (NSA) in Reno, NV Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels was named the new Chairman of the Immigration and Border Security Committee. Arizona’s border sheriffs have always been a key component in discussing border issues. Sheriff Dannels will carry on the good work established by the late Sheriff Larry Dever of Cochise County and Sheriff Leon Wilmot of Yuma County who have previously chaired this committee.
Yuma County Sheriff Leon Wilmot was elected by the National Sheriffs Association (NSA) membership to the NSA Board of Directors. The NSA Board of Directors represents all 3,080 sheriffs across the country and sets guidance and direction for the association by working with the Executive Director and President to provide expert testimony on law enforcement issues, coordinate the association’s non-profit activities and guide the Educational Foundation. Sheriff Wilmot had previously been appointed to this position and will now begin his first full term as an elected member.
Sheriff Paul Penzone from Maricopa County and Sheriff Mark Napier of Pima County have both been added as members of the Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA). The MCSA consists of elected sheriffs that represent counties with 500,000 people or more. They work to advance legislative strategies that enhance the safety of their communities, pursue innovative educational opportunities and provide technical assistance on all manner of law enforcement issues. Sheriffs Penzone and Napier join their colleagues from 75 other large counties across the country in leading the way for safer counties.