Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has ordered state police to create a border strike force to help law enforcement agencies along the Mexican border respond to crimes.
The strike force hasn't been formally announced, but The Associated Press confirmed its existence Thursday after obtaining a letter the governor sent to the Cochise County sheriff.
The force is designed to work with state, local and federal agencies to "stop border-related crime."
Arizona's border with Mexico has long been known for drug and immigrant smuggling. Officials complain that break-ins and violent crime are often committed by groups coming from or returning to Mexico.
The Republican governor's move is among the first he's made since making border security a top priority during his 2014 primary campaign.
