About MCSO
About MCSO
Working Together to Safeguard our Communities.
Ensuring MCSO is a leading law enforcement agency, united with our community.
Honesty: We are truthful in our words and actions
Humility: We are committed to learning from and serving each other
Perseverance: We are in the constant pursuit of excellence
Respect: We embrace the diversity of our communities
Trust: We believe trust is the foundation of our relationships
Unity: We are working together toward common goals
We are a law enforcement agency, headed by an elected Sheriff, Jerry Sheridan, which serves and protects the unincorporated areas of Maricopa County as well as several contract cities. We are part of the Maricopa County government system.
Maricopa County has an approximate total area of 9,224 square miles and is one of the largest counties in the nation.
Many things set us apart, beginning with the fact that we serve an area bigger than four U.S. states. We have the most technologically advanced 911 and emergency operation center in the Southwestern USA, and a large all-volunteer posse force working in 41 different posses. Although we live in the Sonoran Desert, the MCSO has one of the nation’s finest dive/water rescue teams. We are also the only U.S. jail system to serve vegetarian meals exclusively.
With approximately 3,500 employees, we are among the fourth largest sheriff’s offices in the USA.
All sheriffs in Arizona are elected to serve a four-year term with no term limits.
The main budget for the MCSO is a combination of general fund dollars (tax dollars) and district jail tax monies. That total is $408.7 million. The Sheriff’s Office also has additional revenue sources, such as grants and monies generated from inmate canteen sales, etc. Combined, the 2021 FY budget stands at $433.8 million.
The headquarters of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is located in downtown Phoenix, south of Jefferson Street at the intersection of 5th Avenue. Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters are located at 550 W. Jackson Street Phoenix, AZ 85003. The five story high building houses the administration functions of the office, including finance, payroll, personnel, bureau of internal oversight, the compliance division, community outreach, technology, the 911 center, and the offices of all chiefs and the Sheriff. It also contains a small gym, a media room, an emergency operations center and an underground parking garage. The lobby is protected by security personnel during all business hours and is the site of a small historical museum of old Sheriff’s Office artifacts.
A Little Bit of History
Maricopa County was established in 1871, more than 40 years prior to Arizona statehood. In those early days, The Territory of Arizona (also known as Arizona Territory) had its own legislature, which oversaw the creation of counties and their governments. The territorial legislature wasted no time in creating three key governmental offices: a tax collector, a treasurer, and a sheriff.
By the time Arizona became the 48th state in 1912, the number of counties in Arizona had grown considerably and the demand for additional sheriffs was clear.
The Arizona State Constitution maintained that certain positions are to be elected by the people, rather than appointed by a governing board. The Office of Sheriff is such an elected position.
Today, the State of Arizona has 15 county Sheriffs. Each is elected to a four-year term and has a salary set by the state legislature. No matter the size, population, or complexity of services of their respective counties, all Arizona sheriffs earn the same salary.
Since those early beginnings in 1871, thirty-seven persons have served as Sheriff of Maricopa County, including Sheriff Paul Penzone.
If you’ve ever wondered where the word “Sheriff” comes from, it’s a term that originated in Anglo Saxon Britain. “Sheriff” is derived from shire, an Old English word meaning “county.”
The Shire-Reeve was the official representative of the reigning monarch in each county, with “reeve” meaning “guardian.” In time, the Shire-Reeve became known as the “sheriff” and the double “F” in Sheriff hints at its esteemed history.
