Personnel Reform

This week, the Board approved the next steps toward personnel reform and workforce transformation. Over the past several years, the County has worked to mirror best practices for an engaged and exemplary, customer service-focused workforce. We approved the transition of a number of supervisor and professional positions to unclassified status and approved a new streamlined discipline policy that will give managers more tools to address performance issues. There is more to come on this front, stay tuned.

Durango Jail Replacement

Public safety is a core function of what we do as a county government and jails are a necessary component. This week, the walls went up at the new Intake, Transfer and Release Facility (ITR) to replace the aging Durango jail.  We will apply science and best practices to the facility design incorporating the latest research.  The new jail will make the booking process more efficient and streamlined for law enforcement officers, which will allow them to be back on the streets for a safer community. Construction is scheduled to be complete by early 2020.  For more information, click here.

Retiring MCSO K9 "Hero"

The Board of Supervisors granted an early retirement to K9 Hero, a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois.  His handler is Deputy Brigette McBride.  Trained as a Patrol and Explosives Detection K9, Hero assisted on numerous calls for service from felony assaults and home invasions to stolen vehicle and missing child calls.  He has conducted searches at high-profile sporting events such as the NCAA Final Four and Diamondbacks games at Chase Field.  Hero’s drive to work has declined significantly over the past several months and his desire to catch the bad guys is no longer there.  The Board unanimously voted to transfer ownership of Hero to Deputy Brigette McBride, the two have worked together on the K9 unit since 2016.

 
Sincerely,
Steve Chucri, Chairman
Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, District 2
www.maricopa.gov/steve
602-506-7431

Maricopa County Spotlight

Our Maricopa County Library District has been busy with issuing 40,000 new cards this past year and completing 31,000 online card renewals!  2.9 million visited our branches along with offering 7,000 programs which had over 171,000 attendees. Our Food for Fines program forgave more than $36,000 in fines.  We are excited with last year’s success and look forward to what can be accomplished in 2018!