Penzone says MCSO making progress, still needs to earn public’s trust
Jan 4, 2018, 3:08 PM | Updated: 4:13 pm
(AP Photo/Matt York)
PHOENIX — Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone said Thursday that his agency has made progress but still needs to do more to earn the public’s trust.
“I really want this community to see and understand when the men and women who are committed to public service are given the opportunity to serve that mission what it looks like,” he told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Bruce St. James and Pamela Hughes.
Penzone’s latest effort to show the community that the agency has improved was to release a video pointing out that it was up to 60 percent compliant to court orders given when it was run by then-Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
“It took three years to barely move the meter,” he said. “In the last two quarters — less than year — we’ve moved that considerably.”
He said the video was intended to show the agency had set a baseline to compare where it had been and how it was improving or failing, as well as how it was meeting expectations he laid out during his campaign.
“We need to show that we met those expectations and where we were and where we’re going.”
Penzone said he understands the public would rather see him focusing on the job rather than sending out videos, but he knows it’s important to re-earn trust.
Related: One year in, Penzone continues to address ‘culture of hate’ claims
“If we don’t understand your need, it’s hard for us to deliver the services to meet that expectation,” he said.
But he also said the road to the place where the public will feel comfortable telling deputies what they need won’t be repaved by releasing videos praising the agency.
“This is not about going out and kissing babies and shaking hands and hugging people, he said.
“This is about saying, ‘We’re in this together. Crime will be reduced when the community feels comfortable to come forward and share information.’ If they don’t trust us, they don’t share with us.”