Cochise County sheriff to join Pima Countytipline and assign deputy to county attorney

Sheriff Mark Danos announced that Cochise County will join the 88 Crime tipline program administered through the Pima County Attorney's Office and will assign a sheriff's deputy to serve as an investigator for the Cochise County Attorney's Office.

Danos said the tipline is free for the county and provides an anonymous reporting number that can lead to rewards up to $2,500 when tips produce arrests. "It's a really good thing," Danos said of the program, adding that tips are confidential and callers receive a tip number for potential reward payment.

Danos said the county will detail one of its seasoned deputies, Corporal Nikola May, to work directly with Cochise County Attorney Lori Zuko. "We're going to sign one of our seasoned deputies, Nikola May, ... so he'll be Lori Zuko's investigator to work outreach, help her with investigations, follow if needed, work liaison for law enforcement," Danos said. Danos said the deputy will be placed under a grant administered by the sheriff's office to fund the position.

The sheriff described the assignment as intended to give the county attorney "autonomy" to move cases with an on‑call law enforcement officer who can serve subpoenas and assist witnesses. Danos said the arrangement is meant to serve local police departments, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and federal partners when needed.

The sheriff invited residents to use the tipline and said the program includes a confidential process for reward distribution and an option for tipsters to speak with investigators if they wish. Danos said he had discussed the program with county and city officials and that Cochise County will "kick that off" in cooperation with the county attorney's office.

The announcement did not include a start date for the investigator detail or the exact grant name; Danos said funding will come from a grant the sheriff's office controls.