For the first time, a city of Peoria police officer will be assigned to the Desert Hawk Violent Crime Task Force, within the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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For the first time, a city of Peoria police officer will be assigned to the Desert Hawk Violent Crime Task Force, within the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Desert Hawk Fugitive Task Force was founded in 1992 as a joint effort between the FBI’s Phoenix office and local law enforcement agencies to target violent fugitives and repeat offenders.
Peoria police spokesman Brandon Sheffert said the mission of the Desert Hawk Violent Crime Task Force, Safe Streets Task Force is to identify and target for prosecution criminal enterprise groups responsible for drug trafficking, money laundering, alien smuggling, crimes of violence, robbery and violent street gangs, as well as intensely focus on the apprehension of dangerous fugitives where there is a federal investigative interest.
“The partnership allows Peoria Police Department to access resources the FBI may have that we do not,” he said. “It also allows us to have a close working relationship directly with the FBI.”
The Peoria officer will be employed by Peoria but assigned to the FBI. As part of the task force, the officer will work as a team throughout the Valley, not just Peoria. Mr. Sheffert said this allows Peoria police additional resources and the task force to assist with Peoria cases as well.
A memorandum of understanding between the Peoria Police Department and FBI as well as a budget amendment in the amount of $18,649 has been approved to provide funds for overtime.
The FBI reimburses participating cities the cost of overtime worked by the agency officer that is assigned full-time to SSTF, provided overtime is incurred.
The term of this MOU is for the duration of the SSTF’s operations, but may be terminated at any time upon written mutual consent.
The Desert Hawk Fugitive Task Force is staffed by two special agents and members of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Mesa Police Department, and Scottsdale Police Department. This will be the first Peoria officer assigned to the task force.
Philip Haldiman can be reached at 623-876-3697, phaldiman@newszap.com, or on Twitter @philiphaldiman.
Philip Haldiman is a third generation Arizona native with brief residencies on the east and west coasts.
He has bachelor’s degrees in Theater and Journalism at Arizona State University, and is an award winning journalist with more than 15 years worth of experience in reporting and editing.
Most recently, he took first place for investigative reporting and third place for best sustained coverage or series at the 2023 Arizona Newspapers Association awards.
In his free time, he produces an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.
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