Sheriff-elect Penzone

Hear from Maricopa County Sheriff-elect Paul Penzone, who ended Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s long and controversial career.

Transcript:

TED SIMONS: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON," I'M TED SIMONS. MARICOPA COUNTY WILL HAVE A NEW SHERIFF IN OFFICE SOON. DEMOCRAT PAUL PENZONE HANDILY DEFEATED LONG-TIME REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT JOE ARPAIO. ARPAIO HAD BEEN IN OFFICE FOR THE LAST 24 YEARS. HERE NOW TO TALK ABOUT HIS VICTORY AND HIS PLANS FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, SHERIFF-ELECT, PAUL PENZONE.

TED SIMONS: WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."

PAUL PENZONE: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

TED SIMONS: CONGRATUALTIONS ON YOUR WIN, WHY DO YOU THINK YOU WON?

PAUL PENZONE: I THINK IT'S A LOT OF THINGS. THE COMMUNITY WAS TIRED OF FINANCIAL LOSSES. I THINK WE HAD A STRONG MOVEMENT BY THE LATINO COMMUNITY WHO HAD BEEN FAR TOO LONG NEGATIVELY EFFECTED BY THE PREVIOUS SHERIFF. A LOT OF REPUBLICANS FELT COMFORTABLE WITH THE THOUGHT THAT POLICING SHOULD NOT BE PARTISAN. THERE ARE MEN AND WOMEN FROM DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE THAT ARE STRONG IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. IT HAD TO BE A LOT OF THINGS THAT CAME TO PLAY.

TED SIMONS: CONVERSELY, WHY DO YOU THINK ARPAIO WAS SUCCESSFUL SO LONG AND STILL LOVED BY SOME?

PAUL PENZONE: I THINK HE HAD A VERY STRONG MESSAGE. HE WAS ONE OF THE FEW LAW ENFORCEMENT, LAW ENFORCEMENT IS A CAUTION COMMUNITY, NOT AS AGGRESSIVE IN PUBLIC DEMEANOR POSITIONS AND THE SHERIFF GAVE A STRONG VOICE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT. THERE WAS SOMEONE OUT THERE KEEPING US SAFE TO A PLACE THAT THERE WAS TOO MUCH DISTRACTION. I SAY THAT RESPECTFULLY. I THINK HIS TENURE HAD A LOT OF GOOD EARLY ON, BUT IT GOT OFF TRACKS.

TED SIMONS: WHAT DO YOU SAY NOW TO ARPAIO SUPPORTERS?

PAUL PENZONE: I HOPE YOU WILL GIVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENFORCE THE LAWS AND HOLD THOSE THAT WORK WITH ME TO HOLD ACCOUNTABLE THOSE THAT WE SERVE WHICH IS THE VOTERS IN THIS COMMUNITY AT LARGE. LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOULD BE THAT STRONG FORCE THAT GIVE US PEACE THAT WE KNOW WE ARE SAFE AND IF SOMETHING HAPPENS, THEY'LL CATCH THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE AND AT THE SAME TIME INVEST IN THE COMMUNITY. I THINK OVER TIME IF THEY GIVE ME THE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE, THEY'LL BE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED AS WHAT WE DO AS AN ORGANIZATION.

TED SIMONS: IN THE PAST YOU WERE QUOTED AS SAYING THE DECIDING FACTOR WAS PUBLIC SAFETY AND NOT POLITICS. EXPLAIN THAT.

PAUL PENZONE: ULTIMATELY, A LOT OF THE HTINGS THAT WERE GOING ON WERE A LOT OF DISTRACTIONS WERE INVESTIGATIONS ON THINGS THAT DIDN'T SERVE PUBLIC SAFETY. THERE WERE CASES WHERE CHILDREN WEREN'T INVESTIGATED PROPERLY. WE WERE DEDICATING RESOURCES THERE. THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS THAT WERE LOST, THOSE DOLLARS SHOULD GO TO SOMETHING POSITIVE. WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT FEDERAL COURT MONITORS BECAUSE OF VIOLATIONS OF LAW, THEN THE ORGANIZATION IS DISRUPTED. THEY CANT FOCUS EVERYDAY ON THE TRUE PRIORITIES BECAUSE THEY HAVE OTHER FACTORS THAT THEY HAVE TO ADDRESS. IF YOUR EYE IS NOT ON THE BALL ON PUBLIC SAFETY ALL THE TIMES, WE ARE NOT INVESTED AS WE SHOULD BE.

TED SIMONS: YOU SAID YOU ARE GOING TO WORK TO EARN THE TRUST OF MARICOPA COUNTY RESIDENTS. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO THAT?

PAUL PENZONE: IT'S ABOUT BEING FUNDAMENTALLY SOUND. WE WANT TO TURN THE VOLUME DOWN. A LOT OF NOISE WE HAVE HEARD HAS BEEN A DISTRACTION. WE ARE GOING TO SERVE CONTRACTED AREAS AND THOSE INCORPORATED WITH A COMPREHENSIVE POLICING DIVISION WHEN IT COMES TO PATROL AND INVESTIGATORS AND SUPPORT SERVICES. IF WE ARE SHORT ON RESOURCES WE HAVE TO BE AWARE OF THAT. IT COMES AS A COST TO TAXPAYERS. WE TALK ABOUT CORE PROCESSES OR FUGITIVES, WHICH HAVE BEEN SOMEWHAT NEGLECTED TARGETED AND APPREHENDING FUGITIVES POSE A THREAT TO SAFETY. SO I WANT TO GO OUT THERE AND BE FUNDAMTELLY SOUND AND THAT THE ACTIONS ARE SUSTAINABLE AND IMPROVEMENT.

TED SIMONS: YOU MENTIONED TURNING THE VOLUME DOWN. IS THERE SOME REASON TO TURN THE VOLUME UP, LET THE BAD GUYS KNOW YOU ARE OUT THERE, THE CITIZENS KNOW YOU ARE PROTECTING THEM?

PAUL PENZONE: THOSE WORKING ON OUR CAREER, THERE WERE SERIOUS ISSUES. THEY WORKED WITH ME. CRIMINALS NEED TO KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO HUNT THEM DOWN AND HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE, THAT YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT IT AND STORNG ON THE ISSUES. AT A TIME THE COMMUNITY NEEDS TO KNOW HOW THEY CAN HELP US WITH A CRIME, THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY OR TIMES TO ADDRESS ERRORS. THERE ARE TIMES TO SPEAK LOUDLY AND WITH STRENGTH, BUT YOU SHOULDN'T BE LOOKING FOR THOSE OPPORTUNITIES IT SHOULD BE THAT THE NATURAL PROCESSES OF WHAT GOES ON IN OUR COMMUNITY DICTATES THE TERMS ON WHEN YOURE ENGAGING THAT MATTER.

TED SIMONS: BIGGEST CHALLENGE THAT YOU CAN SEE FACING THE DEPARTMENT RIGHT NOW?

PAUL PENZONE: OVERCOMING THE ISSUES OF THE FEDERAL COURT MONITORS IN THE ORGANIZATION RIGHT NOW. WHEN I SAY THAT, IT'S ADD STERILE. WE HAVE TO MEET THE STANDARDS TO MAKE THE ORGANIZATION BETTER. WE HAVE TO BE MORE EFFICIENT IN GETTING TO THAT PLACE. RIGHT NOW THE COST TO TAXPAYERS CONTINUES TO INCREASE. NUMBER ONE IS MEETING THE EXPECTATIONS, ABIDING BY COURT DIRECTIVES AND MAKING SURE WE ADHERE TO THOSE AND GETTING BACK TO A PLACE WHERE WE ARE FUNCTIONAL WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO ALLOW THE FEDERAL COURT MONITORS TO MOVE FROM THE ORGANIZATION AND WE FUNCTION WITH AUTONOMY.

TED SIMONS: NOT ONLY MONITORS, YOU HAVE TRAINING, CAMERAS AS WELL. THOSE THINGS ARE STILL IN PLACE. IS THERE ANY INDICATION THAT THEY WOULD BE LEAVING SOONER NOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN ELECTED?

PAUL PENZONE: I DON'T KNOW NECESSARILY ABOUT CAMERAS TO BE USED FOR TOOLS OF BENEFIT IN MANY WAYS OR TRAINING. WE WANT TO BE PROGRESSIVE. BUT IT'S A MATTER OF ARE WE CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR WAYS TO GET OUT IN FRONT OF ISSUES, TRAIN ON DEFICIENCIES WITHIN OUR OWN ORGANIZATION. THE MISREPRESENTATION OF CULTURES IN OUR COMMUNITY, EVERYONE IS ONE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE MULTIPLE CULTURES. IMMIGRATION IS AN ISSUE TO ADDRESS, SHOULD NEVER JUSTIFY RACIAL PROFILING OR CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS. PIECES OF THAT MAY NO LONGER BE NECESSARY. OTHERS ARE LONG TERM IMPLICATION BECAUSE THEY ARE BENEFICIAL.

TED SIMONS: THE OTHER LAWSUIT INVOLVED IN ID THEFT LAWS USED TO JUSTIFY WORK PLACE RAIDS, WILL YOU BE CONDUCTING WORKPLACE RAIDS?

PAUL PENZONE: NOT RAIDS. THE RAIDS WERE EXCESSIVE. IF WE ARE INVESTIGATING IDENTITY THEFT AND OTHERS, WE CAN INVESTIGATE THE CRIMES, BUT I WOULD SAY IT'S LIKE USING A SLEDGE HAMMER FOR A FLY. THERE ARE TRAINED PROFESSIONALS THAT CAN GO TO AN OPERATING BUSINESS WHERE THEY HAVE AN ISSUE INVESTIGATING AN IDENTITY THEFT AND ADDRESS THE ISSUE. YOU DON'T NEED TO SEND A SWAT TEAM OR THE MEDIA OR ARMORED VEHICLES. USE YOUR RESOURCES TO MEET THE ISSUE YOU ARE CONFRONTING. DON'T BE IRRESPONSIBLE OR SENSATIONAL IN DOING SO.

TED SIMONS: HAVE YOU MET WITH THE ACLU OR HEARD FROM THE ACLU REGARDING THIS SECOND LAWSUIT?

PAUL PENZONE: I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ACLU IN THE COMMUNITY. IT'S BEEN A GOOD ONE AND WE WANT TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF EVERYONE. IT'S NOT WHERE I HOLD A DIFFERENT LEVEL OF AUTHORITY TO IMPACT THE ISSUES.

TED SIMONS: WE TALKED ABOUT IMMIGRATION RAIDS. LETS TALK ABOUT SOME OTHER HIGH PROFILE AIDS HERE, WHAT ABOUT TENT CITY?

PAUL PENZONE: IT WILL BE EVALUATED TO SEE WHY IT'S NECESSARY, IF IT'S NECESSARY, THE EFFICIENCIES AND INEFFICIENCIES OF IT AND THE SAFETY. MAKE THE DETERMINATION DOWN THE ROAD TWO OR THREE YEARS AND MAKE POPULATION OF OTHER FACTORS. DO WE HAVE THE HOUSING CAPACITY TO PROPERLY ADDRESS THAT? IF WE HAVE TO KEEP TENT CITY, WE HAVE TO MAKE A FUNCTIONAL, SAFE ENVIRONMENT. MY HOPE IS THAT IT'S NOT NECESSARY. I BELIEVE A STRUCTURED HOUSING FACILITY IS SAFER FOR EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY DETENTION OFFICERS. THAT'S SOMETHING I NEED TO HAVE INFORMATION OPPOSED TO ASSUMPTIONS.

TED SIMONS: CONDITIONS IS WHAT YOU WILL LOOK AT.

PAUL PENZONE: ABSOLUTELY.

TED SIMONS: PINK UNDERWEAR?

PAUL PENZONE: I LAUGH BECAUSE I THINK IT'S SILLY THAT IT'S A BRANDING THING FOR A JAIL POPULATION. I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THE COLOR OF UNDERWEAR CHANGE BEHAVIOR. IF THEY ARE AT A CHEAPER PRICE THAN WHITE, I'LL KEEP THEM. OTHERWISE, I'M NOT ASSIGNING UNDERWEAR OR PASSING THEM OUT OR ANY OF THOSE THINGS THAT MY PREDECESSOR HAD A BENEFIT FOR, I DON'T SEE THAT.

TED SIMONS: WHAT ABOUT THE POSSE?

PAUL PENZONE: IT'S GOING TO GROW. IT'S SOMETHING TO BE EXCITED ABOUT. I WANT TO SEE IT THROUGH THE COUNTY. I WANT TO SEE IT AS A CONDUIT FOR OTHER AGENICIES TO PROVIDE SERVICES. AND I USE THE EXAMPLE, HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU TURNED ON THE TV WITH THE CRIME TAPE AROUND IT AND THE OFFICERS ARE STANDING ON THE PERIMETER TO SECURE THAT AREA. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT WE HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER AGENCIES SO WE CAN SEND POSSE MEMBERS OUT TO RELIEVE THEM AND THEY CAN GO BACK OUT IN THE SERVICE AND RESPON TO OTHER CALLS. EDUCATION TRAINING, HEROIN ADDICTION IS UP 1000% THE LAST TEN YEARS. TRAIN POSSE MEMBERS TO TALK TO PARENTS ABOUT PREVENTING THE ISSUES. GUN SAFETY. THERE ARE SO MANY ISSUES THAT ARE POSITIVE IN NATURE. I THINK POSSE CAN SUMPLEMENT ENFORCEMENT IN AN APPROPIATE MATTER BUT BE THESE EDUCATIONAL FORCE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY.

TED SIMONS: AS FAR AS CHALLENGES FACING YOU AND THE DEPARTMENT, WHAT ABOUT LOYALISTS TO SHERIFF ARPAIO. YOU ARE WALKING INTO 24 YEAR, MOST IF NOT ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES HAVE WORKED UNDER ONE SHERIFF. YOU ARE THE NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN. LOYALTY WAS PRIZE IN THAT DEPARTMENT. HOW ARE YOU DEALING WITH THOSE FOLKS?

PAUL PENZONE: THERES ONLY ONE PLACE THAT A PERSON IN A BADGE SHOULD BE LOYAL TO AND THAT IS TO A COMMUNITY THEY SERVE IT SHOULDN'T BE TO THE PERSON IN CHARGE OF THAT ORGANIZATION. I EXPECT THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO ADHERE TO THE DIRECTION AS WE CHANGE COURSE SLIGHTLY THAT THEY ARE RESPECTFUL OF THE CHAIN OF COMMAND, THAT THEY HAVE A VOICE AND MAKE DECISIONS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE TO BE IN CONCERT. FOR THOSE THAT HAD A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SHERIFF, THAT'S WONDERFUL. IF THERE IS A DIVISION WHERE YOU NO LONGER ABIDE BY MY DIRECTIVE I BECAUSE YOU FEEL IT'S ONE THAT YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH, I'LL BE STRONG ON THAT. I WANT ONE THAT SAYS YOU SERVE THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS EMPOWERED TO LEAD US AND FOLLOW THEIR LEADERSHIP. OUR LOYALTY IS TO THE LAWS WHICH WE HAVE COMMITTED TO ABIDE BY.

TED SIMONS: YOU HAVE TO EXPECT A BIT OF THAT, DON'T YOU?

PAUL PENZONE: ABSOLUTELY. IN COMPLETE TRANSPARENCY, THERE IS A HANDFUL OF FOLKS I BRING WITH ME THAT I HAVE HAD PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE WITH OVER THE YEARS TO HELP ME WITH THAT TRANSITION. I WANT IT TO BE A SEAMLESS TRANSITION WOVEN WITH EACH OTHER AS OPPOSED TO REPLACING BODIES. IF YOU ARE GOOD AT WHAT YOU DO AND PROPERLY REPRESENT POWERS, YOU ARE FINE. IF NOT, YOU WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

TED SIMONS: HAVE YOU HAD CONTACT WITH JOE ARPAIO?

PAUL PENZONE: ON ELECTION NIGHT WE SPOKE BRIEFLY.

TED SIMONS: WHAT DID YOU HEAR?

PAUL PENZONE: HE CONGRATULATED ME. I THANKED HIM FOR HIS SERVICE. I WISHED HIM AND HIS WIFE THE BEST MOVING FORWARD. IT WAS A BUSY NIGHT BUT IT WAS RESPECTFUL.

TED SIMONS: ANYTHING SINCE THEN?
PAUL PENZONE: NO, SIR
TED SIMONS: REGARDING TRANSITION ARE YOU EXPECTING TO HEAR ANYTHING FROM HIM?

PAUL PENZONE: NO, BUT I HAVE SPOKEN TO JERRY SHERIDAN THE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT CHIEF. WE HAVE SET TO TEAM IN PLACE TO START THAT. EVERYONE VESTED RECOGNIZES THAT THIS IS SUCCESSION. THE POLITICAL ASPECT IS BEHIND US. WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER FOR POSITIVE THINGS.

TED SIMONS: WHEN DO YOU TAKE OVER?

PAUL PENZONE: 12:01 JANUARY 1ST, I OFFICIALLY BECOME THE SHERIFF. THERE MAY BE A INAUGURATION JANUARY 4TH. IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE IT'S BEEN SO LONG SINCE THEY REPLACED THIS POSITION, THEY ARE WORKING OUT KINKS. WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

TED SIMONS: I WAS LYING. I WANT TO SAY FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS.

PAUL PENZONE: IT'S GET TO KNOW THE STAFF AND GET TO KNOW ME. IN OTHER WORDS, DEFINE WHO I AM AND WHAT I STAND FOR, BE OPEN TO LEARNING AND LISTENING, BUT JUST CHANGE -- THE ENERGY WITHIN THE ROOM, AND GET PEOPLE COMFORTABLE WITH MOVING FORWARD.

TED SIMONS: GOOD LUCK TO YOU. CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US. WE DO APPRECIATE IT.

PAUL PENZONE: IT'S BEEN AN HONOR.