Snowflake/Taylor Police Chief Larry Scarber went before the Snowflake Town Council on Tuesday, March 21, Snowflake Town requesting authorization to accept funding from Navajo County RICO (Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations) Fund.

Chief Scarber explained that the Navajo County RICO Board approved an allotment of $10,000 in seized funds to the agencies contributing to the fund to be used for law enforcement purposes. The police department has provided on officer to serve in the MCAT unit for several years.

MCAT is a countywide unit that is used especially for drug enforcement, the chief explained. Scarber was asking the council to approve the request to receive, “The fruits of some of the seizures.”

Councilman Terril Kay was asked for clarification about MCAT and Town Manager Brian Richards explained that they cannot discuss MCAT, that approval of receiving RICO funds was on the agenda.

Scarber explained that STPD has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Navajo County who provides 85 percent of the officer’s salary who is part of the unit.

He said that the money is coming at a good time for the department because the body camera contract expires mid-June and the money will enable them to purchase body cameras.

“I think this is a good use for RICO funds,” said Councilman Hunter Lewis who felt he did not need to declare a conflict of interest because although he is employed by the County Attorney’s Office, he does not have cases regarding RICO.

The council unanimously authorized the Snowflake-Taylor Police Department to accept funding from the Navajo County Rico Fund.

Chief Scarber also applied for funds from the Pascua Yacqui Tribe that would be used to obtain the Spillman CAD/RMS System. These are funds from gaming revenues that tribes are required to give back 12 percent to an entity. They were not successful in receiving those funds last year, however Scarber received a call from the tribe suggesting he apply this year. “I took it as a good sign,” said Scarber noting, “It’s hopeful.”

Scarber explained that numerous public safety agencies in the area are moving to the Spillman system for better information sharing between agencies, which would result in improved safety for first responders. He said that those that belong to the Regional Dispatch would be using this system, which would make STPD compatible in order to transfer information.

The council unanimously approved the resolution authorizing Chief Scarber to apply for tribal gaming revenues from the Pascua Yaqui Tribe to fund the Spillman CAD/RMS System for dispatch.

Chief Scarber had three firearms on display. He told the council in Call to the Public that Don Anderson, who was present and his wife Jeri, were long-time volunteers for STPD. Anderson is a career police officer and has served in the military. According to Scarber, the Anderson’s have volunteered many, many hours to STPD.

“One of the responsibilities Don has taken on is to monitor Army surplus,” said the chief adding that Anderson has saved the department thousands of dollars by doing so.

Anderson was able to obtain M16 rifles at no cost and Sgt. Dan Rush who is a military armorer used his skills to take the old M16 rifles and put them in working order. “Officers should never be outgunned,” said Scarber.