Staff Reports
The Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA), a controversial sheriffs’ group, has been quietly expanding its reach in at least 30 states, according to a new investigative report. The group, founded in 2011 by former Arizona sheriff Richard Mack, believes that elected sheriffs should refuse to enforce any law they deem unconstitutional or “unjust” and that they are “the last hope” for protecting citizens from an “out-of-control federal government.” While Mack denies advocating for a lawless society, critics are concerned about the group’s intent.
Mack, who gained national attention in 1994 for suing the federal government over the Brady Bill, has faced scrutiny for his involvement with right-wing groups. He admits to being an early board member of the Oath Keepers, a group accused of playing a role in the U.S. Capitol attack on January 6, 2021. However, he claims to have left the group and had nothing to do with the attack.
A controversial sheriffs' group that plays by its own set of rules and has members linked to a plot to overthrow the government has been quietly expanding its reach, branching out in at least 30 states, some of it on the taxpayer's dime.https://t.co/oPUwMMJcA5
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) August 24, 2023
CSPOA has gained traction over the past decade, hosting training sessions, rallies, and meetings in nearly three dozen states. The group has garnered support from individuals in high places, including three who sit on state boards responsible for law enforcement training standards. Critics argue that the group has no authority to determine what is constitutional and what is not, but Mack believes that sheriffs should stand up for what they believe is right.
The report also reveals that CSPOA has secured state approval for taxpayer-funded law enforcement training, raising concerns among legal experts. Some residents have filed formal complaints against sheriffs affiliated with the group, accusing them of abusing their authority and engaging in fearmongering. The Anti-Defamation League has labeled CSPOA as an “anti-government extremist group,” while accusing Mack of using the organization to gain influence within the far right. Mack has denied these allegations and dismissed them as fiction.
