Southern Arizona sheriff welcomes changes to way military supports border security

PHOENIX — Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels said Friday he is in favor of changes being made to the way the military supports border security in southern Arizona.

Troops assigned to Joint Task Force – Southern Border were authorized to be more engaged when they patrol Arizona’s southern border alongside U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents through a March 20 order from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

“The military is probably more engaged than I ever have seen them here working with them on the border,” Dannels told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News.

How is military authorized to support border security?

The U.S. Air Force announced on March 13 that approximately 550 Army personnel were being sent to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson as part of the increased military presence along the border.

Troops stationed at the border can monitor and detect illegal activities without getting involved in law enforcement activities. The line is drawn when arresting or apprehending a suspect is a part of the patrols, according to Dannels.

“If they’re stopping the threat, I don’t have an issue with it, just like they do around the world,” he said. “The arrest part, obviously, based on the law, that would be where the challenge lies. So, again, if we work collectively and complementary, it’s going to work.”

Sheriff says border-related crime has fallen under Trump

Dannels is hoping communication between the troops and agents will allow for easier patrolling and monitoring of the border. He said there may be less need now than a few months ago, though, crediting President Donald Trump’s border policies.

“It’s like night and day, and I truly mean that,” he said. “Where we’ve been and where we’re at today is like two different cycles of crime. We were dealing with 2-10 pursuits a day. Now we see maybe two a week.”

Dannels said the smuggling of illicit drugs, fentanyl and children have all slowed since the Trump administration took office in January.

“Whether you like Trump or not, it’s irrelevant. It’s working,” he said about the president’s policies.

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