Maricopa County, Arizona – new Maricopa County The sheriff said employees will no longer have to go through body scanners or have their belongings searched.

“We employ some of the best employees on the planet, and we trust them all,” Sheriff Jerry Sheridan said in a Jan. 14 news release. “We must trust our employees and support what they do for our agency.”

The department announced it conducted body scanners and inspections in 2023 during Sheriff Paul Penzone’s tenure.

“In early 2023, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office implemented a policy that all MCSO officers entering the jail facility were treated like any other person and required to pass through a security scanner upon entering.” “In addition to full-body searches, all employees reporting to work and members of the public who visited the facility for any reason were subject to a full body search, as well as all belongings, including personal items and food items.” the news release said.

The policy takes effect immediately.

The sheriff’s office says the scanners will continue to be used by more than just employees.

The sheriff’s office has had problems with drugs being smuggled into the Maricopa County Jail in the past.

In January 2023, Mr. Penzone announced that he has become a former detention officer. Attempted to bring meth and fentanyl into prison. He announced at the time that body scanners would be installed at five jails in the county.

He said the machines will cost more than $165,000 each.

“If we truly want to be a safe, drug-free prison system, we need to take every possible step, and that means getting employees used to the idea of ​​testing themselves just like everyone else. ,” Penzone previously said.

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