COCHISE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SHERIFF'S ASSIST TEAM
The Cochise County Sheriff's Assist Team (SAT) is made up of trained citizen volunteers who assist the Sheriff's Department with non-enforcement duties and value added services that allow Officers to focus on crime reduction.
SAT was incorporated in Arizona on July 31,2003 to provide volunteer support to the Cochise County Sheriff's Department. We enjoy 501 (c)(3) tax status from the Internal Revenue Service.
We firmly believe that our commitment is in response to the warning from Edmund Burke that "All evil needs to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
In 2005, with an average membership of just 12 team members, SAT provided over 4,468 hours of service and drove over 33,329 miles in especially marked and equipped vehicles supporting the people of Cochise County.
Here is a list of the accomplishments and areas of support given by SAT - to date:
- 88-Crime for Cochise County ACO Support
- Assist Detention Personnel
- Background Investigations
- Cold Case Investigations
- Crime Scene Investigations
- Crime Scene Security
- Crowd Control
- DUI Task Force Support
- Emergency Evacuation Notifications
- Merchants’ Emergency Data Cards
- Neighborhood Legal Notifications
- Neighborhood Watch Liaison
- Radar Trailer Placement
- Runaway Juvenile Follow Up
- S.W.A.T Support
- Safety Patrols
- School Bus Shadowing
- Secure Crime Scenes
- Sex Offender Notifications
- Traffic Control
- Unarmed Security
- Vacation Home Checks
Members DO NOT take enforcement action, carry weapons, or make arrests.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
- Good people skills Maintain a positive attitude
- Volunteer 16 hours per month
MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS
- 18 years of age or older
- Cochise County Resident
- Good driving record
- Good moral character
- No felony convictions
- U.S. citizen
An in-depth background investigation is conducted on each prospect – the same as required for a deputy sheriff applicants - including a polygraph examination. This allows SAT team members to work in the various areas within the Sheriff’s Office.
Upon successful completion of their background each new member must complete a 20-hour classroom Academy containing the following subjects:
- Animal Control Operations
- CCSO History/The Challenge
- Court Testimony
- Dispatch Megan’s Law
- Domestic Violence Report Writing
- Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
- SAT History/Activities
- Sat Policy/Procedures
- SAT Training
- So AZ DUI Task Force
- SWAT Operations
- U.S. Bill of Rights
Following classroom training, a new member then spends 16 hours of field training as follows:
- Dispatch Operations – 8 Hours Bisbee Jail Operations – 4 Hours
- Local Jail Operations – 4 Hours CCSO FTO Patrol – 8 Hours
Once a new member has this overview of CCSO operations and challenges, they spend a minimum of 12 hours with the SAT FTO becoming familiar with our patrol functions and procedures.
Even though all members are patrol trained, not all will find this their normal duty and will fulfill their required duty hours in the various areas of CCSO needing their time and experience.
Cochise County Sheriff's Office Background Questionnaire