ARIZONA NEWS

New Arizona border operations center unites multiple law enforcement agencies at 1 facility

Oct 29, 2024, 10:23 AM

PHOENIX — The Oletski Border Operations Center is now open in southern Arizona, bringing together local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to better protect the border.

“This is the first center of its kind anywhere in the country when it comes to us working … [a] border mission like this,” Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels told KTAR 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Tuesday, a day after the facility debuted.

Dannels said combining resources at one location makes border enforcement more effective.

“It brings law enforcement — state, local and federal — together with one action-driven mission,” he said. “We’re sharing our authorities. We’re sharing our badges. … We’re looking for any crime that’s got a connection to the border.”

The center’s targets include smuggling, illicit drug trafficking and financial crimes involving cartels, he added.

In addition, the Oletski Border Operations Center can monitor 1,300 plus cameras that cover the southern half of Arizona.

“We’re pulling about 70,000 people a year coming across on our camera system alone,” Dannels said.

Who is Arizona border operations center named for?

Gov. Katie Hobbs was among the officials who attended the facility’s opening Monday in Sierra Vista.

Also at the opening were the center’s namesakes: Cochise County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Christopher Oletski and U.S. Border Patrol Agent Joshua Oletski.

The brothers both were injured while on duty near the border.

Christopher was seriously hurt during a chase involving a human smuggling suspect, and Joshua survived getting jumped and having his throat cut in Cochise County.

“Two awesome law enforcement professionals,” Dannels said.

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New Arizona border operations center unites multiple law enforcement agencies at 1 facility