Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Cochise County sheriff defends grant-funded helicopter program, calls federal prosecution gap 'frustrating' after Yuma shooting
Summary
Sheriff Mark J. Daniels told KWCD listeners the county's helicopter support is fully grant-funded, costed as an inclusive program and used for search-and-rescue, SWAT and medical support; he described a recent Yuma-area shooting at a law-enforcement helicopter as an example of where he believes federal charges were warranted.
Sheriff Mark J. Daniels said Cochise County's helicopter program is fully covered by outside funding and is not paid for by local taxpayers, and he urged clarity after a board member described the program cost in a way he called "misleading."
Daniels, speaking on KWCD's First Watch, said the county receives an inclusive contract for aviation support and pays an installment of $340,000 to the provider; the program covers pilots, fuel, maintenance and lodging. "We have 100% grant funded helicopter program. The county pays nothing. It pays not a penny," Daniels said. He added that the unit averages about 87 flight hours per three months.
The nut graf: Daniels used the interview to push back on a board remark that the program cost was "$3,000 an hour,"…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
