Joe Arpaio is the best sheriff ever in the history of Maricopa County! No, he’s the worst Maricopa County sheriff ever!
Ask most people about Arpaio and you’ll probably get one of those opinions. There’s not a whole lot of in between when it comes to how people feel about the 80-year-old sheriff who is now the county’s longest sitting sheriff.
While not the super vote getter of years past, in the November 2012 election he still beat his opponent handily by over 80,000 votes.
Now a group calling itself “Respect Arizona” wants to recall Arpaio from the office he was just reelected to.
Arpaio has been to the recall rodeo before. In 2007 “Arizonans for the U.S. Constitution and Recall of Joe Arpaio” unsuccessfully tried to recall him. They were unable to collect 283,300 signatures of registered voters needed for the recall.
Following that recall attempt Arpaio handily beat his opponent in the 2008 election.
Arpaio has proven himself unbeatable — as a politician who is capable of not only remaking himself to appeal to voters, but also as someone who can raise millions nationally to get reelected five times. He still wields considerable political and fundraising power.
I can appreciate the disgust with those who see a need for a leadership change at the sheriff’s office. Arpaio’s record has been less than good, to say the least, and his failures out number its successes. I too see a need for change when it comes to our sheriff’s office.
But that doesn’t come in the form of a recall, and the further politicization of law enforcement in Maricopa County.
For too long getting elected sheriff in Maricopa County has boiled down to who has the best political and public relations machines behind them and spiel that keeps the voter’s attention until election day.
Since 1968 a former California deputy sheriff, two former Phoenix police command officers, an ex-navy officer turned lawnmower repairman, a retired MCSO lieutenant and Arpaio, a retired Drug Enforcement Administration agent, have been elected sheriff. Arpaio’s competition since being elected has amounted to a retired deputy sheriff, a radio DJ, a retired police sergeant and lieutenant and only one person with experience inside of the MCSO, who went to be chief of a small police department. Unlike most other Arizona counties, Maricopa County can’t seem to produce it’s own in-house talent to take the helm of the sheriff’s office come election time.
To run for Maricopa County sheriff, one only need be a warm body that’s a registered voter. The sheriff doesn’t need to be a certified police officer or have any experience running an agency with nearly 4,000 employees, a budget close to $300 million and a jail system that’s as big as many state prisons. The sheriff’s statutory job description under the Arizona Revised Statutes is more than 600 words long.
If history is any indicator, Arpaio will be our sheriff as long as he wants or until Maricopa County adopts home rule. Then the sheriff would become an employee instead of an elected official with near autonomous authority to do as he pleases and the Board of Supervisors could choose to fire him if his performance was sub-par.
Home rule would allow the board of supervisors to function like a city council and the sheriff would be hired and fired based on experience, education and a successful professional track record instead of winning a popularity contest.
The idea that a popularity contest and not a record of successful executive level public safety and correctional experience dictate who’ll be the leader of countywide law enforcement is sophomoric.
The recall effort may appear to some to be the best way to change the way the Sheriff’s Office currently does business, but what happens if a candidate wins the election fair and square like Arpaio has repeatedly and the new sheriff turns out to be just another Joe?
Retired Mesa master police officer Bill Richardson lives in the East Valley and can be reached at bill.richardson@cox.net.
chatmandu002 posted at 9:18 am on Wed, Feb 20, 2013.
For all of Sheriff Joe's faults, the best of his qualities is his anti-politically correctness. So many of our elected officials roll-over when it comes to being PC. Has Sheriff Joe's department had it's problems? Yes of course as with every other sheriffs department. Has Sheriff Joe fixed theses problems? Yes he has.
Sheriff Joe maybe be gruff and in your face but he is not PC and enforces the law.
retired03 posted at 9:55 am on Wed, Feb 20, 2013.
No chatmandu, he has not corrected the probems, well, let me restate, he corrected one: the firing of hendershott (SP), but that was because he needed a skapegoat during the time he was in hot water but, hendershott is even more incompetant than him and needed to go anyway based on that alone. the jury is still out on whether or not his detectives have corrected the problem of failure to investigate, the manipulation of his budget and all of the other malfeasance he has committed. Being not politically correct is not an asset, it just means you can shoot your mouth off. He is nothing more than a politician and his department be damned. In fact, his department is a laughing stock among most professional law enforcement agencies
Azi posted at 10:13 am on Wed, Feb 20, 2013.
retired03....Well put.
DavidNichols posted at 10:25 am on Wed, Feb 20, 2013.
Arpaio Ignored over Four Hundred, and Fifty Cases of Child Molesting including Rape!
Richardson, perhaps you should ask these Children if Arpaio is "The Best or the Worst Sheriff?!!!!
I doubt these Molested, and Raped Children would think the Recall is Politicizing this Worthless Sheriff's Office!!
chatmandu002 posted at 10:46 am on Wed, Feb 20, 2013.
retired03,
You make my points about Sheriff Joe,
Hendershott fired.
Assault cases investigated, there is no jury out.
His budget! repeat HIS budget not the county board of supervisors budget.
Malfeasance? What malfeasance or is that the same as not being PC.
Laughingstock of law enforcement? Just ask Bill Richardson, Tempe Police department is the worst of law enforcement in this state.
Does Sheriff Joe shoot off his mouth? Yes but many see that as being a straight shooter.
Is Sheriff Joe a politician? Yes, the sheriff's job is an elected position. And from what I see Sheriff Joe does care about his department and the people that work for him.
Accuracy posted at 10:51 am on Wed, Feb 20, 2013.
“Arpaio recall not the answer; stop politicizing the sheriff’s office.” Good column…Bill Richardson
Tensions over illegal aliens and border enforcement continue in Arizona. It’s William James Fisher’s Respect Arizona group, and Randy Parraz’s Citizens for a Better Arizona that wants to recall Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. These “Open Border” partisan groups are trying to gather 335,317 signatures to trigger another recall election – All because of Sheriff Joe’s approach to immigration enforcement.
Arizona takes steps to stop the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs across its border from Mexico. "We're going to continue to arrest people, book them into the jail," said Sheriff Joe.
truncate posted at 1:17 pm on Wed, Feb 20, 2013.
True fiscal conservatives know that taxpayers cannot afford Sherrif Joe anymore. So far he has cost us $10's of millions in lawsuit payouts and $100 million in mismanged funds. Now he is asking for an additional $274 million on top of his $280 million budget. The cost of the recall election may very well be far less costly than keeping Arpiao in office.
Arizona Willie posted at 2:26 pm on Wed, Feb 20, 2013.
truncate: just what form of government do you want America to have?
You obviously don't believe in Democracy.
We just had an election 3 months ago and the people had a chance to RECALL Arpaio then and replace him. The MAJORITY chose to keep Joe warts and all.
But you didn't like that result so you think you and some others who agree with you should be allowed to have another election in order to get YOUR WAY.
And, if you get a recall and lose AGAIN ... are you going to demand ANOTHER recall, and ANOTHER, and ANOTHER until you finally get YOUR WAY?
This recall is totally 180 degress out of line with the principles of Democracy, where the majority wins and everyone has to live with it. Having people demanding do-over and do-overs until one minority group gets it' way is NOT democracy.
Sheriff Joe has not done anything in the 3 months since the election to warrant another election to try to remove him from office.
But, since you don't believe in democracy and the will of the majority prevaling, just what kind of government do you want?
lunix posted at 4:17 pm on Wed, Feb 20, 2013.
What the process for making that change. I've had people tell me how much they love Arpaio- they just don't seem to want (WANT) to recognize his woeful record. A man with the power to take away freedom shouldn't be subject to more political motivation than absolutely necessary. (Not to mention the power to have TV celebrities take the lead in breaking down doors, shooting puppies, and violating civil rights (for the media).)
Leon Ceniceros posted at 5:34 pm on Wed, Feb 20, 2013.
If you are going to blame the Voters for electing Sheriff Joe....then you also have to blame the Voters for re-electing....Barack Hussein Obama...or Barry Soetoro or whatever name the "Manchurian Candidate" is....the one currently occupying the White House with his "Socialist/Whitey Hating wife".
"Accuracy" (one of our "anonymous" commenter) has it right for once in his/her Life.
The Mormon Church and the Catholic Church want "AMNESTY" for millions of Illegal Aliens from Mexico and Points South to fill their pews and stuff their collection boxes..............PERIOD.
Our used to be "Treasured American Citizenship"....means nothing to them. The Mormons, during the Vietnam War, sent their young men on "missions" to keep them from Harm's Way....and procreating more little Mormon.
Rich posted at 7:29 pm on Wed, Feb 20, 2013.
Bill,
Like you I live in Tempe and I agree. If I lived in unincorporated Maricopa County it might be different. Under Arpaio, law enforcement is a joke, a real reality show. If it affected me, rather than provided comic relief, my opinion might be different. All 'law enforcement' is a partnership between law abiding citizens and the police, when it becomes a master/slave relationship it fails. Joe is the poster boy for this sort of failure. When you fear the police, they have failed.
ral540 posted at 8:36 pm on Wed, Feb 20, 2013.
Two problems plague law enforcement in Maricopa County. Because the county has one of the largest populations in the country, the reported $300 million budget makes the job of sheriff all about the money. Who gets the green baloney contract becomes more important than prosecuting sex crimes. The second problem is that candidates for the job must list party designation. This makes the job of sheriff a political job not a law enforcement/department management job. County voters are stuck with choosing between politicians not managers. Both problems require legislative involvement to fix. I won't be holding my breath.
onerebel posted at 8:46 pm on Wed, Feb 20, 2013.
It's funny how some of the same people that are wanting to recall Arpaio are the same ones telling Obama opponents he was elected live with it!
KJDaVinci777 posted at 8:17 pm on Thu, Feb 21, 2013.
Bill, if my memory serves me right KKK Pearce was recalled...And since Joes middle name is I can't RECALL , maybe this time Joe will learn the meaning of recall. Anytime you can derail corruption its worth a try to get rid of the Maricopa cancer aka as Joe con artist Arpaio...this county deserves a real sheriff...
INSANITYENSUES posted at 3:55 pm on Fri, Feb 22, 2013.
" the Board of Supervisors could choose to fire him if his performance was sub-par."
You must be joking. So we're going to let the corrupt BOS in charge? LOL. Thanks, but I'll keep my own vote and the rights that come with it. It does not include turning over said right to a body of political hacks that have their share of dirty politics swirling around their heads. I don't want our Sheriff (no matter who it is) to be under the thumb of a partisan BOS. The People are in charge, not the politicians. And Arpaio was re-elected....by the People. The majority. That's how it works.. How about a recall of those politicians who continue to aide and abet illegal aliens? Bueller? Bueller? Didn't think so.
KJDaVinci777 posted at 7:54 pm on Sat, Feb 23, 2013.
You are right Mr. insanity...lets recall all the stupid people that voted for Arpaio, Obama, the two Bs-Brewery and Babesue...etc...Enough is enough of stupid people voting for scum... America and Arizona deserve non-corrupt politicians. People that "graduated" from 5th grade would never vote for the above.
bobunf posted at 8:09 pm on Sun, Feb 24, 2013.
Strange as it may seem, all recalls happen AFTER an election. You all may recall the Pearce recall.
The extent of the cost of Sheriff Arpaio’s lawsuits is not widely understood. Legal fees running into the millions and numerous other expenses are reported very infrequently. In addition the bulk of large settlements, and many smaller ones, take many years to work their way through the courts. The taxpayers of Maricopa County have already incurred very substantial liabilities that will only play out in the years ahead.
bobunf posted at 8:10 pm on Sun, Feb 24, 2013.
A few examples:
The Braillard case, from 2005, was finally settled, after the 2012 election and after 7 years of litigation, at a total cost (including legal fees and other expenses) to County taxpayers in excess of $6 million.
A month later the Yanes case, from 2003 was finally settled, after the election and after 9 years of litigation, at a total cost (including legal fees and other expenses) to County taxpayers in excess of $2 million.
In January of this year the Maricopa Board of Supervisors agreed to pay $123 thousand to Board Chairman Andrew Kunasek for legal fees incurred for being framed by Arpaio in 2010. And who knows what County legal fees and other expenses were involved in that one. This is after millions of dollars paid to Supervisors and County employees with many millions more pending.
In February 2013, the County Board of Supervisors offered the family of murdered veteran Marty Atencio $550,000, which of course was rejected since the family feels their son was worth more than money can buy. The original notice of claim from 2012 was for $30 million. The case, with attendant legal expenses rising into the millions of dollars, will likely drag on for many years.
bobunf posted at 8:11 pm on Sun, Feb 24, 2013.
These very large settlements encourage plaintiffs and lawyers. The smell of blood is in the water; or, at least, of huge jackpots to be obtained in Maricopa County.
There are thousands of pending cases from 2005 and perhaps even before, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and many more that have been incurred but are not yet in litigation. There will be thousands more that will inevitably emerge in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 abd even 2017 due to the Sheriff’s on-going illegal arrests and policies resulting in abuses in the jails.
The total number of cases will approach 10,000, perhaps more, and the total liability including fees and expenses will approach a Billion dollars. The consequences of this slow moving tsunami of lawsuits will adversely affect the County for decades.
bobunf posted at 8:15 pm on Sun, Feb 24, 2013.
It is to be hoped that the voters of Maricopa County this November will finally act to end this hemorrhage of taxpayer money, recall Arpaio and remove the 81 year old from office
Then there are the other 9,999 other reasons for us to be rid of Arpaio.
KJDaVinci777 posted at 3:42 pm on Sat, Mar 2, 2013.
Any Grand Dragon of the KKK should be recalled from serving in any law enforcement organization...Hitler also had to be forced to "resign" and is now with his Ava...What is the deal with the shoulder incident? Was Babesue around at the time of the incident? Just wondering...
KJDaVinci777 posted at 3:43 pm on Sat, Mar 2, 2013.
Joe take a lesson from Nixon and resign...and have Obamao do the same...
KJDaVinci777 posted at 12:27 pm on Tue, Mar 5, 2013.
Joe, FOX News is trying to get a hold of your shoulder, to make it a International News Story...In the meantime your sidekick, misfit Babesue is stealing your KKK limelight...You two jokes are just as good as Obama the supreme LIAR...Bill any thruth to the shoulder "incident"?
Masterrogue666 posted at 9:19 pm on Fri, Mar 15, 2013.
Well, Bill's hatred of Joe hasn't lessened. I guess some things never change. If I have to "accept" Obama, than Joe should be accepted too! He was ELECTED. At least Bill got that right!
KJDaVinci777 posted at 7:08 pm on Sat, Mar 16, 2013.
Correction for Mr666...It is my opinion that Bill does not hate Joe or that I hate Obamao...The fact that these two liars and jokesters were put in office by unqualified limited IQ voters does not mean they are hated. Having incompetent, corrupt people in the WH and MCSO does not warrant hate. However, I do not like a communist, anti American destroying the US Constitution at the WH or an unindicted security guard wannabee corrupt sheriff bankrupting MCounty...I have never heard Bill say he hates the hated fraud Joe who continues to rip off Arizona. I would use the word HATE in the following manner. I hate to see Obamao continuing to arm Americas enemies with American tax money - muslim brotherhood et al..
DAJ posted at 6:49 am on Fri, May 17, 2013.
Anyone could do a BETTER job running the MCSO!! And I mean ANYONE!! Time for Home Rule!