Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone announced early this month that he will not seek a third term to the office of sheriff in next year’s election, and in fact said he plans to step down …
You must be a member to read this story.
Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.
Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here
Otherwise, follow the link below to join.
To Our Valued Readers –
Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.
For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.
Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.
Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.
Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone announced early this month that he will not seek a third term to the office of sheriff in next year’s election, and in fact said he plans to step down early, at the beginning of 2024.
The Town of Fountain Hills receives law enforcement services under contract with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, an arrangement that has existed since the community incorporated more than 30 years ago. Town officials are currently in negotiations with the county and MCSO for a new agreement to replace an expiring document. The agreement ends at the end of the calendar year.
Fountain Hills Mayor Ginny Dickey has been a supporter of Penzone.
“I have appreciated the intelligent, steady leadership and strong character of Sheriff Paul Penzone for many years,” Dickey said. “He has served Maricopa County and, as our contracted police force, the Town of Fountain Hills, with respect for the law, for his officers who risk their lives, and for the people they are all sworn to protect.
“Our community remains one of the safest in the Valley at the lowest per capita cost east to west. The deputies care about our local residents and businesses, their balanced, professional approach coming from the top.”
Dickey said the council expected to consider adoption of the new MCSO contract at a meeting Oct. 17.
Penzone was elected sheriff in 2016, ending Joe Arpaio’s more than two decade run in the office. A federal court-appointed monitor was watching activities of the sheriff’s office under Arpaio, a Fountain Hills resident, and that monitoring continued under Penzone, something he indicated weighed heavily in his decision. Penzone, like Arpaio, was found in contempt of court for failing to comply with a court order to end racial profiling in enforcement.
In his announcement stating he was leaving the office, Penzone told the media it was a “privilege” to serve, however, he looks forward to leaving.
“When I have more people investigating internal affairs and compliance issues than I do crimes in our community, something’s wrong,” Penzone said.
With the office of sheriff on the ballot in November 2024, it would be up to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to appoint someone to the office on an interim basis.
By 
