Leadership styles of Penzone, Sheridan clash in Maricopa County sheriff’s race
Oct 9, 2020, 1:00 PM | Updated: 1:38 pm
(AP Photos)
(AP Photos)
PHOENIX — There’s a stark difference in how Paul Penzone and Jerry Sheridan want to run the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
Penzone, a Democrat and the incumbent, wants to continue the shift away from the policies and attitudes instilled by former Sheriff Joe Arpaio in his more than two decades in power.
Sheridan, the Republican challenger who worked closely with Arpaio for more than 20 years, would prefer to restart some of the policies Penzone has axed since taking office.
Penzone handily defeated Arpaio in the 2016 election, winning by more than 10 percentage points. Sheridan, meanwhile, edged out a victory over Arpaio in the August primary by 1.7 points.
“Unequivocally, the men and women of the organization feel as though it is now reputable,” Penzone told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show on Friday.
Sheridan doesn’t believe Penzone’s message is resonating through MCSO, however.
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He told The Mike Broomhead Show on Thursday that he’s heard that employees aren’t happy under Penzone’s rule.
“He’s destroyed the working will of the people of MCSO,” Sheridan said. “The deputies, the detention officers. They don’t want to come to work every day.”
Penzone denied the accusation, saying Sheridan is trying to “toxify” his workforce.
“There are men and women in the organization that do exceptional work and they believe greatly in the purpose that is law enforcement and providing safety for our community,” Penzone said.
Penzone added that the continued move away from old policies Sheridan would restore is helping residents regain faith in the office.
Sheridan wants to bring back the controversial Tent City jail, which Penzone closed and tore down in 2017.
“He’s done a lot to destroy the great things we were doing at MCSO,” Sheridan said.
Penzone said he’s going to continue running on the platform of rehabbing the reputation and priorities of MCSO.
“I think the core values are restoring stability and professionalism to the office,” Penzone said. “For far too long, the office was treated as something that was more of a sideshow.”
