Sierra Vista Company

CINDY HAYOSTEK/Daily Dispatch A company of Arizona Rangers will be formed in Douglas, beginning with a meeting to be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the police department meeting room.

That's what Arizona Rangers Capt. Mike Dennis, commander of the Sierra Vista Co., told members of the Douglas Rotary Club this week.

Dennis outlined the history of the Rangers. Created in 1901, they were initially a force of 14 men; later that number doubled.

The Rangers were told to headquarter in the Arizona town which needed them the most. At first that town was Bisbee; in 1902 it was Douglas. In 1907, two years before the legislature disbanded the Rangers, the headquarters became Naco.

The Rangers reformed in the late 1950s as a non-profit organization, said Dennis. Today the organization is essentially a service club with a strong interest in law enforcement activities.

"We are looking for people interested in community service," said Dennis. "We support local law enforcement units such as the county sheriff's office, local police and Department of Public Safety."

That support takes the form of assisting those agencies with crowd control, such as at the horse races this weekend, and with DUI task forces and search and rescue operations. Rangers also work as a security force at high school football games and at private functions such as dances.

"We're not sworn law enforcement officers; we don't investigate," said Dennis. "But we are used for functions not requiring a sworn officer. That way we free them up to do other things."

Dennis said prospective Rangers must pass a background check and there is a 90-day probation period. During that time, Rangers undergo extensive training in handcuffing techniques, use of levels of force and radio procedure.

Another six months of classes include training in high risk vehicle stops. The idea is to train and build up a company of 10-12 Rangers in Douglas, said Dennis.

"After 100 years, I'd like to say the Rangers are back in Douglas," said Dennis, "because the Rangers can make Douglas a better place. They can be a force in the community."

More information about the Arizona Rangers is available at: www.arizonarangers.org