ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
Recognizes the Arizona Rangers as an unpaid, noncommissioned civilian auxiliary dedicated to law enforcement support and assistance.
The original Arizona Rangers (Rangers) were established in
1901 and included 26 unpaid members.
The Rangers’ intent was to rid Arizona of criminals and criminal gangs
by acting as a State police force when local authorities were overtaxed. Although
the Rangers disbanded in 1909, three of the original Rangers reestablished the
auxiliary in 1957 as a community service organization with the following four
objectives:
a)
Provide support to youth
activities and organizations that promote new
beginnings to
troubled and forgotten youths.
b)
Assist law enforcement as
required and requested by local, county, State and
federal
authorities.
c)
Preserve the honor and
traditions of the Old West through the State Historic
Section and
the Ranger Museum.
d) Provide service within the community where an Arizona Ranger Company exists.
According to the State Commander of the Rangers, over 300 trained Rangers and 15 Ranger companies operate in Arizona. Other groups also use the name Arizona Rangers, but these groups are not affiliated with the Rangers auxiliary that was reestablished in 1957. In some instances the activities of a nonaffiliated group have been associated with the Rangers, causing the Rangers to encounter lawsuits and pay attorney fees with funds that would otherwise be donated to charities. In 2001 the Rangers were involved in eight lawsuits related to name usage; $30,000 was spent by the Rangers to settle a single lawsuit. The Rangers hope that statutory recognition will help them to maintain their reputation by clarifying name disputes.
There appears to be no fiscal impact to the state general fund associated with this legislation.
1. Establishes that the Rangers are an unpaid, noncommissioned civilian auxiliary that provides law enforcement support and assistance when requested and supervised by law enforcement.
2. States that Rangers members only possess law enforcement and investigative powers that are provided in law for all Arizona citizens.
3. States that the purpose of this Act is recognition of the Rangers.
4. Provides for a general effective date.
PIRA DP 2/5/02 10-0-0-0
3rd Read 3/18/02 54-0-6-0
Prepared by Senate Staff
April 5, 2002