Joe Arpaio (by Gage Skidmore )
In 2008 The New York Times called him the worst sheriff in the country. Others call him the toughest sheriff. When you are talking about Sheriff Joe Arpaio, you are always dealing in extremes.
Over the years Arpaio has courted controversy on many counts — from accusations of providing unconstitutional jail conditions to financial irregularities and even abuse of power. On Thursday he settled a lawsuit with the federal government. Charges of civil rights violations have been a constant companion through his near 20-year reign as sheriff of Maricopa County in Arizona.
But undeterred by critics, Arpaio launched Operation Desert Sky at the start of April —another tool to crack down on illegal immigration.
Desert Sky involved a private air force that conducted aerial surveillance over Maricopa County to check illegal immigration and combat drug trafficking.
The air marshals were all members of civil society who volunteered to help Arpaio in his mission. They were part of the Sheriff’s posse that has seen great expansion under Arpaio and now has 3000 volunteers who perform duties for the Sheriff’s office.
Arpaio refutes any charge of having gone one step too far with his latest move. “I have crossed no line,” he says, with authority and anger.
And nor does he accept any suggestion that it was just another publicity stunt.
“We have arrested over 2500 smugglers and are responsible for the immobilization of 45,000 illegal aliens,” he says. “If you want to call that publicity, okay, I think it’s pretty good publicity.”
There is no doubting the fact that the county faces its fair share of problems. Sylvia Longmire can second that. She worked for eight years as a Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and has co-authored a book on the Mexican drug cartels.
She says, “Many parts of Arizona are being destroyed by the effects of thousands of drug smugglers and illegal immigrants who trek across private and public land with little regard for leaving it in the shape in which they found it.”
Sheriffs feel the responsibility to take matter into their own hands because of lack of federal support Longmire says.
It’s a belief that certainly resonates with Arpaio.
“The problem with the new administration,” he says, “is they don’t seem to want to accept the cooperation and the results of this sheriff because of political reasons.
“But the feds need all the help they can get.”
Longmire points out other Sheriffs like Paul Babeu (Pinal, AZ) and Larry Dever (Cochise, AZ) are no different when it comes to taking extreme measures.
“Having extended camera time is to their benefit,” she says. “All three sheriffs are politically very visible, and have aspirations to higher office.”
Arpaio, who will turn 80 next year, doesn’t shy away from that fact. “There is a possibility I will run for U.S. senate,” he says. “If not I will definitely run for my sixth term as Sheriff. I don’t step down, I keep fighting these critics and keep doing my job.”
Arpaio promises to continue his aggressive methods to eliminate illegal immigration. “Desert Sky ]was] just a major thrust,” he says, “but everyday we are out there raiding private businesses and arresting illegal immigrants.”
There is no lack of conviction in his tone and certainly no middle path that he will toe.
