Animal Control Officer

**Sgt Neo** · 08-31-09 02:08 AM

I am currently going through the process of becoming a Animal Control Officer in Arizona. I am number two on the eligibility list and they told me I am a backup if the first fails is this normal procedure. I go in on thursday to do my integrity Interview exact phrase she used. What to expect?

Does Animal Control Officer have any power like peace officers in Arizona? I couldn't find anything online. I know they allow them to carry handguns!

**Citicop** · 08-31-09 02:15 AM

Originally Posted by Sgt Neo

I am currently going through the process of becoming a Animal Control Officer in Arizona. I am number two on the eligibility list and they told me I am a backup if the first fails is this normal procedure. I go in on thursday to do my integrity Interview exact phrase she used. What to expect?

Does Animal Control Officer have any power like peace officers in Arizona? I couldn't find anything online. I know they allow them to carry handguns!

Why would you apply for a job you know nothing about? What if you don't like it?

**Sgt Neo** · 08-31-09 02:23 AM

I know the job duties of Animal Control Officer!! I just wanted more indepth of their limits to enforcing animal laws and ordinances. Do other states allow them to carry handguns and why would arizona allow ACO to carry handguns besides the obvious; being able to put down a rabbit animal that is immediate danger to others.

**Citicop** · 08-31-09 02:26 AM

Most Animal Control Officers are not LEO's.

They don't attend the Police Academy, they don't have Arrest Powers and they can't carry off duty.

Of course in my area, Animal Control Officers don't carry handguns at all, either.

-Citicop.

**Sgt Neo** · 08-31-09 02:27 AM

Purpose of ACO:

The primary functions of an ACO are to enforce laws and ordinances concerning animals and rabies control, to protect and ensure public safety and the welfare of all animals. Other duties and responsibilities may be required as assigned.

Exact phrasing from the county. Goes into more detail.

**SnapShawt** · 08-31-09 02:48 AM

In order to have to authority of a peace officer, you have to go to a police academy and successfully pass your state's licensing exam. They may mean "enforcing laws and ordinances" in terms of writing certain citations and calling actual police officers to a location if necessary. They may have the intention of putting you through an academy as well. Who knows. There are some places in which the officers ARE police officers who happen to be assigned to an animal division (like others are assigned to other divisions such as narcotics, sex crimes, etc.).

**Sgt Neo** · 08-31-09 03:01 AM

That's what i thought, azPost is required to be a peace officer in arizona. I don't believe they send new ACO's to the academy.

Is it common for ACO to eventually apply after a period of time and get excepted into the police academy. They know I am interested.

My other question is I passed Written, physical, oral board. THen they created the list which i was second. They made me fill out a packet/questionere which was 20 pages and did my background credit check and now they setup a appointment for integrity interview/finger print to prep me for the polygraph test. Is this normal for second on the list? Should I get my hopes up or not?

**Cat_Doc** · 08-31-09 07:47 AM

What county are you applying with?

**Sgt Neo** · 08-31-09 10:22 AM

yavapai

**retdetsgt** · 08-31-09 03:53 PM

In Oregon, animal control officers can issue citations for animal related offenses, but that's it. They aren't armed and if they run into a problem with a citizen, they call a police officer to assist.

It's not economically feasible to spend the money to train someone in all aspects of LE just so they can enforce animal regulations. That would be like sending meter maids to the police academy. They can write parking tickets, but that's it.

**Cat_Doc** · 08-31-09 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by Sgt Neo

yavapai

I've never heard of ACO's being armed (except for the dart gun), but maybe Yavapai runs the AC under the auspice of the S.O. and they are going to put you through the firearm's training.

No offense to you, but most of the ACO's I know should not be armed and they stir up the crap a lot on contacts which we have to go clean up.

**GoDirectly2Jail** · 08-31-09 08:19 PM

In Virginia, it depends on the department. In my area, Henrico animal control is a division of the Police. In Goochland and New Kent, the ACO's are deputy sheriff's with full LE authority. In Hanover, ACO's are an unarmed componant of the county public safety department (separate from the S.O.)

**retdetsgt** · 08-31-09 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by GoDirectly2Jail

In Virginia, it depends on the department. In my area, Henrico animal control is a division of the Police.

My town has an animal control officer assigned to the police dept., but she's not a police officer.

**Sgt Neo** · 09-03-09 01:46 AM

ACO is part of the sheriff office.

**Puddle Pirate** · 09-03-09 12:46 PM

Where I'm at the Animal Control is a Division of the Police Dept, and are armed. However, they are not DCJS certified and have not attended the police academy. The receive the same firearms training as the Police do, and have a full duty belt except handcuffs. No handcuffs because they do not have any power of arrest, nor can they carry off duty. They can serve animal control related summons only. However, they can go to the magistrate and seek other warrants (so can any citizen).

This ad will disappear if you login

Thread: Animal Control Officer

Thread Tools

Display

Animal Control Officer

Posting Permissions