A.C.C.E.N.T.  
(Apache County Drug, Gang and Violent Crime Task Force )

 The Apache County Cooperative Enforcement narcotics Team (A.C.C.E.N.T.) was formed in May of 1988. It is funded by Edward Byrnes Memorial Grant funds. The Arizona Criminal Justice Commission distributes these funds to task forces throughout the state. A.C.C.E.N.T. is a multi-jurisdictional, multi-agency task force operating under a board of directors. It consists of local officers working closely with a full time drug case prosecutor to identify, arrest and prosecute drug traffickers and seize drugs and forfeitable assets.

 The primary objective of the task force is to provide a coordinated drug, gang and violent crime investigation and prosecution effort in Apache County to reduce drug abuse and drug trafficking.

  ACCENT enforces state laws with primary responsibility in the areas of drugs, gangs and violent crimes. Operational and technical assistance is provided to local and state governmental agencies and other components of the criminal justice system. ACCENT also promotes and enhances the quality of public safety through cooperative enforcement, intelligence gathering, training employees of law enforcement agencies and increasing Department of Public Safety and the Drug Enforcement Administration as well as other federal, tribal, state and local agencies in accomplishing these goals.

This ongoing mission is accomplished and maintained by consistently demanding the highest degree of integrity and professionalism from all its employees.

The task force regularly assists local law enforcement agencies with child molestations, sexual assaults, aggravated assaults, homicides, burglaries and other felony crimes committed in Apache County.

K-9 Detection is part of ACCENT

            Axa, a two-year-old female shepherd, is ACCENT’s K-9. Axa was recently trained and certified in the detection of illegal drugs and in K-9 handler protection.

The Apache County K-9 team is utilized in schools throughout Apache County. The K-9 team put on drug presentations for all ages of students in the schools. The team also is used to search school campuses for illegal drugs and K-9 handler protection.

Recently a second K-9 was purchased. This K-9 will be assigned to the two Northern Apache County Sheriff’s Office Districts to help combat drugs in the schools and the highways.

This small task force services an area of more than 11,000 square miles consisting of high plains desert and forested mountain regions, with a scattered population of approximately 69,423.

The success of the task force is attributed to the inter-agency cooperation and the continued support from the citizens of Apache County.

  If you have a question, comment, suggestion or would like to 
provide feedback on this Apache County Sheriff's Office website,
contact dmurray@apachecounty.net