Thread: Sheriff`s race divides police groups

Sheriff's race divides police groups
Elias C. Arnold
The Arizona Republic
May. 19, 2008 12:00 AM

The Buckeye Police Association has endorsed Sheriff Joe Arpaio in his bid for re-election, but the Maricopa County Deputies Association backs former Buckeye police Chief Dan Saban.

Both candidates have embraced the support they received while downplaying the endorsements of the people they've led.

"We like (Arpaio's) management style," said Sgt. Carl Johnson, president of the Buckeye Police Association, which gives the longtime incumbent a thumbs-up for his management approach and stance on illegal immigration. Johnson said the group represents nearly 45 officers and sergeants, almost two-thirds of Buckeye's force. advertisement




"He tends to support his personnel," Johnson said of Arpaio. "He's the only clear law-enforcement agency out there doing anything right now (about illegal immigration).

Arpaio has saturated some Valley neighborhoods with deputies to identify and question people suspected to be undocumented immigrants. Last week, the Sheriff's Office was cut off from state funds to help pay for some of those operations, but Arpaio has vowed to continue the controversial sweeps.

Meanwhile, the Maricopa County Deputies Association blames Arpaio for undermining safety in county jails by diverting funds to publicity projects, and it supports Saban's pledge to "clean up" finances at the Sheriff's Office.

Saban retired May 9 after three years as Buckeye's police chief. He left to focus on his second attempt to unseat Arpaio, who is seeking his fifth four-year term.

Saban lost the Republican nomination to Arpaio in 2004. This time, he is running as a Democrat.

Arpaio said the Buckeye group's support is an "honor" because it comes from the people working the streets daily.

"I have deep respect for the cops and my deputy sheriffs," Arpaio said. "That's why I feel this endorsement is something special. I didn't go to them. . . . They came to me."

The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association and the National Border Patrol Council Local 2544 also endorsed Arpaio last month.

But Saban questioned the Buckeye Police Association's motives in siding with his opponent.

He said he brought in an experienced labor-relations representative to aid the group in its effort to be officially recognized by the town.

"It was clearly a political shot," Saban said of the group's support for Arpaio.

Johnson described the advice the group received as bad and unsolicited.

In February, the Maricopa County Deputies Association and five other law-enforcement groups announced their support for Saban.

"These men and women are counting on me to restore professionalism to the management level of this office," Saban said at the time.






http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepubli ... t0519.html

Oh for Pete's sake.....this is nothing new. Not for the Maricopa County or any place else.

Everytime there is an election....for anything.....there are divided opinions over who would be best for the job.