ADOT, DPS partner to enhance enforcement at ports of entry across Arizona

PHOENIX — Two Arizona agencies are partnering to streamline and enhance commercial vehicle enforcement at ports of entry at interstate and international borders.

The Arizona Department of Transportation and Arizona Department of Public Safety’s partnership calls for 89 sworn ADOT enforcement officers and 49 non-sworn officers to be assigned full-time to the DPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Task Force, according to a press release.

The agreement will begin Jan. 8, go for an initial two-year period and be subject after to annual renewal.

“ADOT and DPS have a longstanding and beneficial partnership that is dedicated to keeping our highways and freeways operating safely,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said in the release.

“Streamlining ADOT’s Enforcement Services Bureau with a single management structure is a better use of personnel, uses financial resources more wisely and strengthens public safety for everyone who travels Arizona’s roads.”

The sworn ADOT personnel are uniformed officers and are certified by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board.

They provide safety compliance, size and weight enforcement and other services at ports of entry near California, New Mexico, Utah and Mexico.

“This will enhance border security at our ports of entry and provide consistent commercial vehicle enforcement to enhance the movement of intra and interstate commerce,” DPS Director Col. Heston Silbert said in the release.

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