An Arizona police department seeks capuchin monkey for SWAT team operations. A Special Weapons and Tactics veteran from Mesa, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix, has researched the possibility of landing a $100,000 federal grant to fund a pilot program to train one monkey. Sean Truelove, the man behind the monkey proposal, told a local newspaper that the idea for the SWAT monkey came to him in a dream 18 months ago. Paramilitary SWAT teams are used by major police departments in the U. S. in hostage situations and others involving heavily armed criminals. According to Truelove, the monkey could be trained to unlock doors and search buildings for police on command. The capuchin monkey is considered one of the smartest primates, known by many for its decades-long association with organ grinders. The monkeys weigh three to eight pounds and live for 15 to 20 years. Capuchin monkeys, native to southern central America, have been used to help disabled people, and are able to perform such tasks as retrieving items, serving food and opening and closing doors. The Mesa, Arizona police department issued a statement saying: "We have always encouraged our department members to seek creative and innovative ways to improve public safety in our community. " But the department also said the idea of training a capuchin SWAT monkey had not been cleared by the department's executive ranks.

A man crashes into local Division of Motor Vehicles building, he was able to renew his license before police arrive on the scene. The driver was charged with driving under the influence after authorities found him to be under heavy medication. According to local police, the man drove his car over the sidewalk and into the DMV's wall, causing cosmetic damage to the building's metal siding. Those working on the other side of wall quickly informed DMV officials. According to witnesses inside, the man parked the vehicle, entered the building, took a number, and apologized for "tapping" the wall. No one was injured and the man was able to pay $20 and renew his license before police even arrived at the scene. Police accused the man of driving while impaired and charged him with driving under the influence. The driver was reportedly heavily medicated at the time.