What Is Arizona's "Public Safety" Money For?

Troopers grateful for funding, more is needed

July 30, 2021

(Photo courtesy of Arizona Department of Public Safety)

As federal and state taxation money flows in Arizona, our leaders made long-overdue investments in the state'southward public safe agencies.

 At the Section of Public Safety, troopers and civilian employees won a much-needed 10% pay raise. The coin is a very good start to reaching parity with other law enforcement agencies in the state. Our ranks are so thin that the only way troopers cover the new portion of the Loop 202 in south Phoenix is through overtime.

 Despite adding 1,300 miles of pike since the 1990s, DPS added no more than trooper positions. On pinnacle of that, DPS has most 270 vacancies among its sworn staff with another 180 eligible for retirement. Many are hoping the 10% pay raise will stanch the exodus of troopers. In this time of "Defund the Police" rhetoric, Arizona leaders stepped upwardly in a measurable way to bolster the ranks of the Highway Patrol.

Arizona didn't endure the taxation hitting like other states. While some economical activities were close down, Gov. Doug Ducey left much of the state open for business, helping to ensure a continued potent economy.

 Coupled with an infusion of federal money, DPS and other constabulary enforcement agencies did well in the budget passed by Republicans and signed by Ducey.

 In addition to the pay raise, DPS received $250,000 to add canines. DPS had to retire many of our specially trained dogs because of the marijuana legalization initiative passed by voters. Our dogs could not simply be retrained. Instead, the department is purchasing new dogs to assistance our troopers patrol the state'south highways. Simply adding the animals is simply a function of the cost. The DPS canine training facility is in dire need of rehab.

Jeff Hawkins

 Our facility in Casa Grande lacks important shade structures that makes training in the summertime nearly impossible. Shade and cooling equipment are desperately needed. The department needs a little over $1 1000000 to make the training facility safer for trainers, domestic dog handlers and the dogs.

 The Legislature approved $3 million each for active shooter equipment and to improve our training facility.

 Left out of the upkeep, withal, was almost $11 1000000 needed to replace an older helicopter used in rescues. The 1990s era aircraft served its purpose, just technology upgrades in the past three decades makes this helicopter obsolete. For instance, if the helicopter is used for a night rescue of a stranded or injured hiker, a medical professional tin be lowered to the scene. However, the rescue cannot occur until daylight hours. Newer helicopters give rescuers the power to treat a patient and airlift them to safety no thing the time of day.

 And while we promise to hire new troopers in the coming months, one area legislators left unfunded was a relatively small-scale cribbing of about $500,000 to business firm recruits during grooming. The state no longer pays for housing of those going through the training plan. With recruits coming from all over the state, asking them to pay for ii households is not reasonable. One cadet even was forced to sell blood to aid pay expenses. That's not how we want to treat the people volunteering for state service. Next year, we will inquire state leaders to cover this pocket-size expense.

The 2021-22 budget makes important investments in Arizona's public safety customs and we are grateful to the legislators and governor who supported new money to keep the state'south highways safe.

 Next year, nosotros will continue to ask the governor and legislators for small-scale investments to ensure the public is protected fairly by troopers around Arizona.

Jeff Hawkins is president of the Arizona Troopers Union.

Arizona Department of Public Safety legislature 8:xiv am Fri, July 30, 2021 Arizona Capitol Times

Result: Arizona Department of Public Safety legislature

Source: https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2021/07/30/troopers-grateful-for-funding-more-is-needed/

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