The Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) is a law enforcement agency serving the unincorporated areas of Pima County, Arizona, the seventh largest county in the United States. Headquartered at 1750 E. Benson Hwy, Tucson, Arizona, the department operates six district offices and three satellite offices, providing a range of services to ensure public safety and community well-being. Led by Sheriff Chris Nanos, who was elected in 2020, the PCSD employs approximately 500 sworn officers, 870 civilian and corrections personnel, and is supported by over 400 volunteers.
The department’s mission emphasizes serving with honor, courage, and integrity while fostering community safety through advanced community policing and direct supervision of detention facilities. PCSD’s operations include patrol services, criminal investigations (focusing on violent crimes, sex crimes, and narcotics interdiction), and a Corrections Bureau managing four facilities that house an average of 1,850 inmates daily. The department maintains a rapid emergency response time, averaging 4.3 minutes for 90% of emergencies and 5.3 minutes overall.
PCSD is a leader in innovative law enforcement practices, having established the Pima County/Tucson Metropolitan Counter Narcotics Alliance and the first Border Crime Unit, a multi-agency task force addressing illegal human and drug trafficking. The department also pioneered mandatory drug testing, including hair testing, for employees and applicants. Additionally, PCSD operates a regional Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy, established in 2006, which trains deputies and officers from various local agencies and the U.S. Air Force. The department has implemented Advanced Crisis Intervention Training (C.I.T.) for its personnel and oversees an interoperable regional public safety communications system, supported by a $92 million bond.
Community engagement is a cornerstone of PCSD’s approach, with programs like child safety seat inspections, neighborhood watch, Dispose-A-Med, document shredding, fingerprint services, Rape Aggression Defense classes, and the Badges and Backpacks initiative. The department also manages civil enforcement, including serving court orders and collecting delinquent property taxes, and provides victim services in collaboration with the Pima County Attorney’s Office.
The PCSD oversees the Pima County Adult Detention Complex and Ajo District Jail, offering inmate services such as visitation, phone, and tablet access, and maintains a state-of-the-art records system for public access to inmate and police reports. The department’s commitment to transparency is evident through its online Desk Officer Reporting System (DORS) for non-emergency incidents and an inmate roster respecting the rights of the accused.
With a focus on professionalism, accountability, and community partnerships, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department continues to innovate in crime prevention, public safety, and detention management, making it a vital institution in Pima County.