COCONINO COUNTY — County Attorney’s Office (CCAO), County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), and Flagstaff Police Department (FPD) announce the launch of a Violent Offender Program, an initiative to identify, track and respond to individuals who repeatedly engage in violent conduct.
The Violent Offender Program establishes a unified, countywide strategy to ensure violent offenders are recognized early and prosecuted with heightened oversight to prevent further harm.
“Violence in our community requires a proactive, collaborative response,” Coconino County Attorney Ammon Barker said. “The Violent Offender Program strengthens the partnership between our offices and ensures that people who demonstrate a pattern of violence are identified quickly and handled with the seriousness they warrant. Our goal is straightforward, protect the public and prevent future victims.”
Sheriff Bret Axlund emphasized the importance of early identification: “Deputies frequently encounter individuals who show escalating violent behavior. The Violent Offender Program gives us a clear and coordinated process to flag these offenders and communicate with prosecutors to ensure they don’t slip through the cracks. This partnership will make our communities safer.”
How the Violent Offender Program Works
- Identification and Flagging of Repetitive Violent Offenders
Partner agencies will identify individuals with documented patterns of violent conduct. Once someone is flagged through the Violent Offender Program, any plea proposal must be approved by the Chief Deputy County Attorney, ensuring consistent, high-level oversight. - Quarterly Multi-Agency Coordination Meetings
Representatives from CCSO, FPD, the Flagstaff City Attorney’s Office, and CCAO will meet quarterly to review flagged individuals, share information, and coordinate strategies to ensure swift, certain, and escalating consequences for violent offenses. - Officer-Initiated Flagging Mechanism
Deputies and officers may proactively flag individuals who display repetitive violent behavior. These referrals notify charging attorneys and CCAO leadership early in the process, enabling case strategy and release recommendations to reflect the individual’s violent history.
The Violent Offender Program represents a shared commitment to improving public safety through enhanced coordination, accountability, and information-sharing among agencies. Flagstaff Police Chief Sean Connolly highlighted the unified mission behind the initiative: “This partnership ensures we are all working from the same information and toward the same mission. By combining our efforts, we can intervene earlier, respond more effectively, and reduce violence in Coconino County.”
The Violent Offender Program implementation begins immediately, with the first multi-agency coordination meeting occurring in December 2025.