The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said they’re making significant progress in the plan to ensure posse members go through background checks before the deadline of March 30.
350 individuals are willing to continue serving their community as posse members and are in the process of completing their background checks, MCSO said in a release Friday.
MCSO said 62 posse members in Sun City West have completed their background check and the individuals who pass the process could be reinstated by of March 15.
On Jan, 25, Sherriff Paul Penzone announced the temporary suspension of the posse program after four of the 135 armed members passed the background check.
Early in February, MCSO said an audit revealed some sex offenders and domestic violence offenders were members of the posse program.
MCSO said Sun City West patrols have been increased with deputies from the areas providing more support.
MCSO is asking all posse member involved in “Search and Rescue” duties, to complete their background interview Friday, March 1 or Saturday, March 2.
The interviews will be scheduled this week for “Qualified Armed Posse” members to take place on March 8 and 9.
More background interviews will be conducted on March 22, 23, 29 and 30 according to MCSO.
The 60-day deadline set by Penzone to complete the interview process is March 30.