Our History
BACKGROUND: The concept of a Sheriff's Posse began during the territorial days of the old west. When the rule of law was threatened in a community, the Sheriff (or Marshal), authorized private citizens to help him re-establish order. Collectively, these deputized private citizens formed the Sheriff's posse. After the threat was eliminated, the possemen ended their temporary law enforcement duties and returned to their private lives. In 1912, the Arizona State Constitution recognized and defined a Sheriff's legal authority to organize posses.
Today, there are approximately 19 operational posses serving under the direction of Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. These possemen are lawfully authorized private citizens who assist the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office in preserving law and order. However, unlike their predecessors, today's possemen receive extensive classroom and on-the-job training and are actively on duty.
Today, there are approximately 19 operational posses serving under the direction of Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. These possemen are lawfully authorized private citizens who assist the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office in preserving law and order. However, unlike their predecessors, today's possemen receive extensive classroom and on-the-job training and are actively on duty.
SUN LAKES POSSE HISTORY: Here in Sun Lakes, the first application of the posse concept started with a group of volunteers in 1978. That group disbanded in 1983. In October 1986, the Sheriff of Maricopa County prevention efforts and with search and rescue operations. Fourteen residents responded to the Sheriff's request and an operational posse was initiated.
On January 19, 1987, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and the Arizona Corporation Commission approved the Constitution and By-Laws officially established!
In 1987, the Sun Lakes Sheriff's Posse consisted of unpaid volunteers who purchased their own uniforms, paid for all operational costs and purchased all necessary supplies. They conducted patrols throughout the Sun Lakes community in their privately-owned vehicles. While on patrol, each vehicle displayed a magnetic Sheriff's Star that served to visually identify the Sun Lakes Sheriff's Posse as a member of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.
In April 1987, a significant monetary donation allowed the Sun Lakes Sheriff's Posse to purchase two-way radios. The radios enhanced communications with members of the Sun Lakes Fire Department and the privately contracted security patrols operational in Sun Lakes Phase I and II at the time.
In 1988, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office assigned the first, county-issued patrol vehicle to the Sun Lakes Sheriff's Posse - a used four-door Chevrolet equipped with light-bars and county markings. And, the Sun Lakes Sheriff's Posse established its first recycling center behind Posseman Bill Bican spearheaded the recycling program.
In 1990, the Sun Lakes Sheriff's Posse received the prestigious "Posse of the Year" award.
During 1992, the Sun Lakes Sheriff's Posse purchased a vehicle from the Sun City Sheriff's Posse as a replacement for an older patrol vehicle. The Sun Lakes Sheriff's Posse now had two operational, marked vehicles which were housed in the nursery gardens at the Basha's shopping center. Through a donation, the Sun Lakes Sheriff's Posse obtained a small storefront pad which was used as office space and the Associate membership of the Sun Lakes Sheriff's Posse was established! The Associates performed office work, answered the phones, assisted with the recycling program and with vehicle maintenance.
In 1993, the Sun Lakes Sheriff's Posse consisted of thirty-four active Posseman who patrolled throughout the Sun Lakes community. These Posseman received training in First Aid and in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) techniques. They completed "Law and Legal" courses which covered Arizona's legal statutes, and attended specialized training courses in traffic control, conducting street patrols, home security, and search and rescue techniques. The Sun Lakes Sheriff's Posseman learned about Block Watch programs and other community-oriented services. They worked directly with Sheriff's Deputies assigned to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office in District 1, located in Mesa, Arizona, and maintained liaison with Special Operations, Community Services, based in Phoenix's Durango Office. During the summer of 1993, the Sun Lakes Sheriff's Posse purchased land at 9531 E. Riggs Road and a ground-breaking ceremony commemorated that event. Construction of the Sun Lakes Sheriff's Posse’s Office building began on the site.
In October 1994, the Sun Lakes Sheriff's Posse's main office building was completed. Additional Posseman and Associates were added to the roster. A permanent recycling center was established at the site for aluminum cans and newspapers and both the Medical Equipment and Block Watch Programs were initiated.
In September 1998, the Sun Lakes Sheriff's Posse's Office building was dedicated in the memory of Posseman Bill Bican. A bronze plaque was installed at the main door of the building commemorating his achievements.
Between 2001 and 2003, the Sun Lakes Sheriff's Posse held service-oriented informational classes designed to provide practical methods that the residents of Sun Lakes could use to secure their vehicles, homes and property. Safe-driving classes were also offered.
In 2003, the Sun Lakes Sheriff's Posse continued to benefit from the generosity of residents and businesses throughout the Sun Lakes community. The Sun Lakes Sheriff's Posse now owned its own building and four-marked patrol vehicles. Needed equipment to maintain the marked patrol vehicles as well as the Office building, recycling shed and recycling containers were purchased. Computers, printing equipment and other essential office materials were obtained. And, significant donations of medical equipment contributed to what was becoming an extensive inventory of items available for loan to all residents of Sun Lakes, free-of-charge.
During 2004, the Sun Lakes Sheriff's Posse recorded 20,673 hours and logged 50,915 miles as its Posseman patrolled the entire Sun Lakes community and assisted the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office with special operational assignments. Associates provided 3,355 hours of support services to our community. In recognition of these significant efforts, Sheriff Arpaio personally presented the prestigious "Posse of the Year - 2004" award to the Sun Lakes Sheriff's Posse and the "Commander of the Year - 2004," award to Louis F. DiGirolamo.
Subsequently, each year since 2004, the Sun Lakes Sheriff's Posse has logged over 20,000 hours and over 50,000 miles, the Sun Lakes Sheriff's Posse Associates have provided over 8,000 hours of support services to our community.
Sun Lakes Sheriff's Posse Commanders:
- ROBERT A. ADLER: 1987- 1990
- LOUIS F. CASS: 1991 - 1998
- BOB RAICH: 1994 - 1996
- LLOYD BROWN: 1997
- DON MALLOY: 1998
- DON LONG: 1999 - 2000
- PAUL F. MILLS: 2001 - 2004
- LOUIS F. DIGIROLAMO: 2004 - 2013
- MICHAEL VISCUSI: 2014 - 2014
- RON BURCHETT: 2015 - 2019
- CRAIG LLOYD: 2019 - Present