♪.

TED: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO THIS AZ VOTES 2024 SPECIAL EDITION OF "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I'M TED SIMONS.

WE FEATURE A DEBATE BETWEEN CANDIDATES RUNNING IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR MARICOPA COUNTY SHERIFF, THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE COUNTRY, SHERIFFS DEPUTIES PATROL UNINCORPORATED AREAS AND MUNICIPALITIES WITHOUT A DESIGNATED POLICE FORCE, THE DEPARTMENT ALSO OVERSEES COUNTY JAILS.

CANDIDATES WILL BE GIVEN 90 SECONDS TO REPLY AND 45 SECOND REBUTTAL WILL BE OFFERED.

LET'S SPRUCE THE CANDIDATES IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, TYLER CAMP WHO SPENT 20 YEARS WITH THE PHOENIX POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND RUSS SKINNER SERVED AS ACTING SHERIFF AFTER PAUL PENZONE STEPPED DOWN EARLY THIS YEAR.

LET'S GET STARTED WITH OPENING STATEMENTS AND WE BEGIN WITH TYLER CAMP.

>> THANK YOU, TED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH YOU TODAY.

WHEN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY REACHED OUT TO RUN FOR SHERIFF, I WAS HONORED BUT FELT THE NEED TO EARN THE SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE.

I TRAVELED THE COUNTY FROM THE FARMER'S BUREAU TO LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS ATTENDING OVER 100 MEETINGS IN PERSON LISTENING TO FOLKS AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS.

I'M ALSO HONORED TO SAY TODAY I'VE EARNED ENDORSEMENTS FROM TWO OF THE PAST CHAIRS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AS WELL AS THE CURRENT MAYOR OF TEMPE, MAYOR COREY WOODS.

I'M A FIFTH GENERATION MARICOPA COUNTY RESIDENT, I WORK OVER TWO DECADES WITH THE PHOENIX POLICE DEPARTMENT.

OVER HALF MY CAREER WAS SPENT WITH ORGANIZED CRIME, CRIMINAL STREET GANGS AND HOMICIDE.

I HAVE TEN YEARS OF LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE.

I HAVE EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE WORKING OVERSEAS FIGHTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND I HAVE EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH LOCAL NONPROFITS.

I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN THE RACE WITH A DIVERSE BACKGROUND ABLE TO MOVE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FORWARD WITH INTEGRITY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND EFFECTIVE POLICING.

TED: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, WE TURN NOW TO RUSS SKINNER.

>> THANK YOU, MR. SIMONS, RUSS SKINNER, 9200 SQUARE MILES, WORKED EVERY FACET WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION, IN THE STREET LEVEL AS WELL AS THE LEADERSHIP LEVEL AND SUPERVISION LEVEL.

THE LAST SEVEN YEARS, I'VE BEEN AN EXECUTIVE COMMAND UNDER SHERIFF PAUL PENZONE WHO TRUSTED IN ME TO TAKE ON THE ORGANIZATION, HELP LEAD THE INITIATIVES AND DRIVE FORWARD THE MISSION RELATIVE TO REFORM.

I'VE HAD UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP ESTABLISH A COMPUTER CRIMES UNIT, COMPUTER FORENSICS UNIT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF REFORM.

I'VE WORKED WITH VOLUNTEER SERVICES DIVISION AS WELL AS BUILDING CONNECTIONS AND PROGRAMS.

I'M THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS CONTINUOUS LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE WITHIN THE MARICOPA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND KNOWS THE INS AND OUTS AND THE PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE.

THANK YOU.

TED: ALL RIGHT, GENTLEMEN, TYLER, PHOENIX POLICE DEPARTMENT, NOT WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, WHY SHOULD DEMOCRATIC VOTERS IN THE COUNTY CHOOSE SOMEONE WITH THE PHOENIX POLICE DEPARTMENT PEDIGREE, BUT NOT COUNTY SHERIFF?

>> YEAH, LIKE SHERIFF PENZONE, SHERIFF PENZONE WAS A SERGEANT WITH THE PHOENIX POLICE DEPARTMENT.

I, TOO, WAS A SERGEANT WITH THE PHOENIX POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND LIEUTENANT OR SHIFT COMMANDER WITH THE PHOENIX POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WHILE I WAS WORKING ON SHIFT, I HAD OPERATIONAL CONTROL OF ONE, TWO, AND SOMETIMES THREE PRECINCTS WHEN I WAS WORKING.

ALSO THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN THE RACE WITH A DIVERSE BACKGROUND OUTSIDE OF POLICE, AND EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE WORKING OVERSEAS AND EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE WORK WITH LOCAL NONPROFITS.

WHAT I'VE LEARNED FROM THE EXPERIENCES ARE, WE NEED TO START TAKING MORE OF A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO PROBLEM SOLVING OUR CRIMES HERE IN THE VALLEY.

WE NEED TO TREAT NOT ONLY THE SYMPTOM BUT ATTACK THE PROBLEM, AND I THINK WITH MY BACKGROUND AND MY RELATIONSHIP THEY BUILT THROUGHOUT THE VALLEY, I THINK I'M THE BEST CANDIDATE IN ORDER TO GET THAT ACCOMPLISHED.

TED: RUSS, THE IDEA OF A MORE DIVERSE BACKGROUND INSTEAD OF SOMEONE STRAIGHT FROM THE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TO BE THE NEXT SHERIFF, WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT?

>> THE MARICOPA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE BEING THE FOURTH LARGEST IN THE UNITED STATES, HAS MANY CHALLENGES.

OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS BEEN DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THE GROWTH OF MARICOPA COUNTY, THE ISSUES THAT WE FAIR, AND THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE, AND TO KNOW AND RUN A JAIL SYSTEM, WE HAVE OVER 7,000 INMATES THAT WE PROVIDE AND CARE FOR EACH AND EVERY DAY, NOT TO MENTION A FEDERAL COURT ORDER, THE THREE COURT ORDERS THAT THE ACLU AND D.O.J.

ARE DEALING WITH, SOMEONE CONTINUES TO DRIVE THE MISSION FORWARD.

TED: TONIGHT GET TO THE COURT ORDERS IN A SECOND.

RUSS, LONGTIME REPUBLICAN, AND YOU CHANGED PARTIES PRIOR TO TAKING OVER FOR PAUL PENZONE, A DEMOCRAT HAD TO SUCCEED A DEMOCRAT.

WHY SHOULD VOTERS CHOOSE SOMEONE WHO IS A LONGTIME REPUBLICAN.

>> SHERIFF PAUL PENZONE WAS REPUBLICAN BEFORE SWITCHING AND RUNNING FOR OFFICE AGAINST ARPAIO.

POLITICS DON'T PLAY A GAME IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ON TRACK TO DEAL WITH ALL ISSUES IN UNBIASED AND UNWAVERING MANNER, AND BOTTOM LINE IS I'M HERE BECAUSE I KNOW THE JOB AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE CARRYING OUT THE MISSION FORWARD, AND POLITICS DO NOT PLAY A ROLE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

OUT OF ALL THE POLITICAL CANDIDATES, THIS IS ONE AREA IT SHOULD NOT BE A QUESTION OF, AND TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I'M THE LONGEST REGISTERED DEMOCRAT ON THE TICKET.

TED: RESPOND TO THAT, PLEASE.

>> I AGREE, POLITICS SHOULD NOT HAVE A ROLE IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

HOWEVER, VALUES SHOULD MATTER.

AND WHEN I LOOK BACK AT MY CAREER WHEN I WAS ASKED BY THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO RUN FOR SHERIFF, I REFLECTED ON PERSONAL LIFE AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE, AND AS I STARTED TO CREATE A VISION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, I SHARED THAT WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

AFTER THAT MEETING, THEY SAID TYLER, YOU'RE ACTUALLY A DEMOCRAT.

SO TWO HOURS AFTER THAT MEETING, I WENT AND SWITCHED FROM REPUBLICAN TO DEMOCRAT, BUT THAT DIDN'T STOP THERE.

LIKE I STATED EARLIER, OVER THE PAST THREE MONTHS, I MADE A POINT TO TRAVEL THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, MEETING WITH PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTY OVER 100 MEETINGS AND EVENTS IN PERSON BECAUSE I FELT THE NEED TO EARN THAT SUPPORT AND TRUST FROM THE PARTY SO I COULD BE EFFECTIVE AS SHERIFF.

TED: GENTLEMEN, PAUL PENZONE SAYS MARICOPA COUNTY, AS HE STEPPED DOWN, SAID THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT REMAINS UNDER, QUOTE, A DARK CLOUD FROM THE ARPAIO YEARS AND JOE ARPAIO'S TENURE.

FIRST OF ALL, DO YOU AGREE -- TYLER, START WITH YOU, DO YOU AGREE THERE'S A DARK CLOUD STILL AT THE MCSO, AND IF SO, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

>> YEAH, I DO BELIEVE THERE STILL IS A DARK CLOUD.

I KNOW THIS IS BECAUSE I LISTEN TO PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY.

THEY TOLD ME TIME AND TIME AGAIN, THERE IS MISTRUST WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

I'VE SPOKEN TO THE LEADERSHIP IN THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY, PASTORS OF THE ASSOCIATION, IF THEY CALL THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE THEY MIGHT GET DEPORTED.

WHAT'S A BIGGER PROBLEM IS THE COURT ORDERS PROVIDING OVERSIGHT OVER THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

DON'T GET ME WRONG, THE COURT ORDERS WERE NEEDED BUT MUST BE ABLE TO COMPLY AND GRADUATE FROM THE COURT ORDERS THAT COST THE COUNTY, THE TAXPAYERS OVER A QUARTER BILLION DOLLARS AND CONTINUES TO GROW.

THE COURT ORDERS HURT STAFFING, HURTS MORALE, HURTS RECRUITING, HURTS RETENTION AND RURTS RESOURCES DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO PROVIDE BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

TED: DARK CLOUD, RUSS?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS TEN YEARS, I WAS ONE OF THE FIRST ONES ASSIGNED TO COURT IMPLEMENTATION DIVISION IN 2013.

I'M AWARE OF THE COURT ORDERS.

WHAT WE'VE SEEN IS SEVERAL EXACERBATIONS WITH CONTEMPT MATTERS THAT OCCURRED.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS CONTINUE TO COMMUNICATE MORE THROUGH THIS.

WITH SHERIFF PENZONE, WE MADE GREAT PROGRESS, AND I WAS ONE OF HIS COMMANDERS CARRYING OUT THE MISSION.

WE ARE 100% COMPLIANCE BETWEEN COURT ORDER ONE AND COURT ORDER TWO, IN THE LOW 90s, WITH PHASE TWO, LARGELY IN ACTION, THIRD COURT ORDER DEALS WITH THE BACKLOG OF CASES AND WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS THERE, 25% AND 28% PHASE TWO.

TED: CRITICS SAY ARPAIO MAY BE GONE, UNDERLYING RACISM REMAINS, FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE COURT MANDATES, HOLDING OFFICERS ACCOUNTABLE, THESE SITUATIONS APPLY.

THAT'S WHY AFTER TEN YEARS, WE GOT THE ORDERS IN PLACE.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF GOOD, HARD-WORKING MEN AND WOMEN, OVER 3,000 EMPLOYEES DOING THE JOB EACH AND EVERY DAY.

WE HAVE A ROBUST POLICY FOR INTERNAL AFFAIRS, THE MONITOR HAS OVERSIGHT OF THAT.

WHAT I WILL TELL YOU IS BIAS POLICING IS NOT THERE.

WE HAVE VERY FEW CASES THAT EVEN COME TO THAT THERE MAY BE ALLEGATIONS, BUT WHEN THEY VET THEM, VERY FEW CASES COME TO LIGHT.

WE MADE GREAT STRIDES WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE A HISPANIC ADVISORY BOARD TO GET THE INITIATIVES OUT.

I MET WITH HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND WE HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS TO CONTINUE TO BUILD AND DRIVE THE MISSION TO MAKE SURE WE'RE MOVING FORWARD.

TED: AND YET, WE HAVE COURT RECORDS THAT SUGGEST PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE STILL DISPROPORTIONATELY TARGETED.

HOW DO YOU SCORE THAT?

>> I WANT TO ADDRESS THE COURT ORDERS.

TED: PLEASE DO, PLEASE DO.

>> YES, IT'S INTERESTING, MR. SKINNER HAS BEEN DEALING WITH THE COURT ORDERS FOR TEN YEARS NOW.

HE WAS THE FIRST COMPLIANCE OFFICER IN 2013, IN CHARGE OF COMPLYING WITH THE COURT ORDER, THERE WAS A FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN A SECOND COURT ORDER IN 2016.

A SECOND FAILURE RESULTED IN A THIRD COURT ORDER IN 2022.

THIS COST THE COUNTY OVER QUARTER BILLION DOLLARS AND CONTINUES TO GROW.

THE GREATEST STRENGTH IS HIS GREATEST WEAKNESS.

THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY IS DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN BUT EXPECTING A DIFFERENT RESULT.

TED: RESPOND, PLEASE.

>> UNLESS HAVE YOU INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE AND YOU ARE IN THAT, ESPECIALLY WHEN I WAS A LIEUTENANT AND ADMINISTRATION DECIDED TO GO AGAINST THAT, THAT'S BEYOND ME.

I COULDN'T CONTROL THE ADMINISTRATION.

SECONDLY, EASY FOR SOMEONE TO SIT HERE AND SAY, THE MONITOR, THE JUDGE AND AGENCY KNOWS THIS COURT ORDER IS VERY COMPLEX, THE MOST COMPLEX IN THE NATION.

UNTIL YOU ARE IN THOSE SHOES, PAUL PENZONE HAD THE SAME VIRTUE THINKING I'M STEPPING IN AND LOOK HOW FRUSTRATED HE GOT TOWARDS THE END.

TED: RESPOND?

>> YES, I CAN SAY, I HAVE AN ACCOMPLISHED BACKGROUND OF GETTING THINGS DONE, AND ONE OF THE WAYS WE CAN MOVE FORWARD FROM THE COURT ORDERS, IT COMES DOWN TO PEOPLE AND PROCESSES.

WE HAVE TO HAVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN PLACE, ENOUGH PEOPLE IN PLACE AND EVALUATE PROCESS, HOW TO INVESTIGATE THE BACKLOG OF INVESTIGATION.

TED: DO YOU BELIEVE, TYLER, THAT THE MCSO STILL DISPROPORTIONATELY TARGETS PEOPLE OF COLOR, PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE PULLED OVER WITH MORE FREQUENCY AND THEY ARE DETAINED FOR LONGER PERIODS OF TIME?

>> WELL, WHETHER THAT'S TRUE OR NOT, THAT IS THE OPINION OF MANY PEOPLE I'VE SPOKEN TO IN THE COMMUNITY.

THAT'S WHERE A MORE ROBUST COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE.

TED: IF IT'S TRUE, YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, IF IT'S NOT TRUE, YOU GOT TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT.

>> IT WOULD BE INCUMBENT UPON ME AS SHERIFF TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.

IS THIS AN ISOLATED SITUATION?

A LONE WOLF VIOLATING RIGHTS?

IS THIS A SITUATION WHERE WE NEED TO IMPROVE TRAINING OR POLICY?

IS THIS SYSTEMIC?

THOSE ARE ALL THINGS THAT NEED TO BE VETTED AND INVESTIGATED AND ONCE THAT TAKES PLACE SWIFTLY COMMUNICATE THAT WITH THE PUBLIC.

TED: HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THE COURT RECORDS THAT SUGGEST THAT PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE PULLED OVER MORE OFTEN AND DETAINED LONGER?

>> WE CONTINUALLY TRACK THE MOST ROBUST TRAFFIC DATA IN THE NATION AS A RESULT OF OUR COURT ORDER AND POLICY.

WE VET THAT.

WE DO MONTHLY REPORTS, QUARTERLY REPORTS AND ANNUAL REPORTS RELATIVE TO THE DISPARITIES.

THE DISPARITIES ARE SLIM, TENTHS OF PERCENTAGE POINT ON A LOT OF THE MEASURES.

WE CONTINUE TO EDUCATE AND HAVE ROBUST POLICY TO ENSURE THIS IS NOT HAPPENING.

I DON'T THINK EVEN JUDGE SNOW SAID WE MAY NEVER GET TO ZERO ON THESE.

THERE'S REASON FOR DISPARITY, WHETHER THEY ARE COMMUNICATION ISSUES, WE'RE CAPTURING THAT DATA TO PROVIDE THE ANOMALIES THAT MAY COME UP.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATA AND PERCENTAGE POINTS, THEY'RE VERY SLIM, AND IF THERE ARE ISSUES WE DO INTERVENTIONS WITH EACH ONE OF THE DEPUTIES ON A MONTHLY BASIS AND MONTHLY TRAFFIC DATA AND INFORMATION.

TED: BACK TO 2013, THE COURT-APPOINTED MONITOR.

WAS IT APPROPRIATE THEN?

IS IT APPROPRIATE NOW?

>> I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND.

TED: THE IDEA OF A COURT-APPOINTED MONITOR LOOKING AT THE MCSO.

WAS IT THE RIGHT THING TO DO BACK THEN?

IS IT STILL THE RIGHT THING TO HAVE THE MONITORING RIGHT NOW?

>> THE REFORMS NEEDED TO BE PUT IN PLACE.

I THINK CONSTRUCTIVE COURT ORDER ARE DIFFERENT FROM A CONSENT DECREE, WE'VE GAINED A LOT OF REFORM WITHIN THE AGENCY.

WHAT WE'RE HOPING TO DO, AND SEEN THAT THE MONITOR, WE'VE SHOWN 100% COMPLIANCE, COMPLETE COMPLIANCE IN A LOT OF AREAS WITHIN THE COURT ORDER.

THERE'S 188 PARAGRAPHS THAT WERE LOOKED AT FOR COMPLIANCE MEASURES.

IF YOU LOOK FULL AND EFFECTIVE COMPLIANCE THROUGH THE FIRST AND SECOND ORDER, WHEN I SAY 100% IN THE FIRST PHASE, IN MID 90s IN THE SECOND PHASE, THAT SHOWS WE'RE DOING IT.

THEY'RE LOOKING AT OTHER JEERS WANT TO BE CLEAR HERE.

INTERNAL AFFAIRS SUFFICIENTLY OVERHAULED TRAFFIC SITUATIONS, SUFFICIENTLY ADDRESSED, YOU SAY THAT'S BEEN DONE?

>> WORKING ON THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS DIVISION, WORKING ON THE DRAFT, CORRECT.

TED: IN 2014, WAS IT THE RIGHT THING FOR THE ORDER TO COME DOWN?

IS IT STILL RIGHT TO HAVE ALL THE MONITORING?

>> ABSOLUTELY WAS RIGHT IN 2013.

WE NEEDED A CHANGE.

AND SHERIFF PENZONE DID A TREMENDOUS JOB PULLING US OUT OF A HOLE THAT JOE ARPAIO PUT US IN.

THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE ARE THE BACKLOG OF INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS.

HERE'S THE PROBLEM WITH THAT.

THAT FRACTURES TRUST WITH THE COMMUNITY, FRACTURES A MORALE WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION BECAUSE IT PREVENTS EMPLOYEES FROM CAREER DEVELOPMENT, BECAUSE THEY HAVE AN INVESTIGATION HANGING OVER THEIR HEAD.

SINCE 2020, THERE'S INCREASE IN BACKLOG OF INVESTIGATIONS THAT'S INCREASED EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

THERE ARE OVER 2300 INVESTIGATIONS NOT INVESTIGATED.

THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE.

IT TAKES ON AVERAGE ALMOST 700 DAYS TO INVESTIGATE A COMPLAINT FROM BEGINNING TO END.

THESE ARE THINGS WE HAVE TO CHANGE AND IMPROVE UPON.

TED: YOU MENTIONED STILL WORKING, SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

>> WE ARE DOWN TO 1600 BACKLOGGED CASES, THEY LOOKED AT THE ACTUAL PROCESS OF HOW WE INVESTIGATE OUR IAs, MUCH DIFFERENT THAN MOST AGENCIES DO, AND REDUCED THE BACKLOG, WE HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE AND UNDER THE COURT RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE WORKING ON MEASURES WITHIN THE PLAINTIFFS AND THE COURT TO MAKE SURE WE GET THAT BACKLOG TAKEN CARE OF.

TED: THIS IS A BACKGROUND, SOUNDS AS THOUGH, AND WE TALKED WITH SHERIFF PENZONE WHEN HE WAS IN OFFICE AND ANNOUNCED HE WAS GOING TO LEAVE.

THIS WAS THE BIGGEST REASON HE SAID AUDIOS.

>> AGAIN, THIS IS A COURT ORDER, THIS IS SOMETHING JUDGE MURRAY SNOW PUT IN PLACE, AND HAVE TO HAVE THE FINE BALANCE TO HAVE PROGRESS AND COMPLIANCE.

TED: TYLER, QUESTION, SHOULD I.C.E.

SCREEN THOSE IN COUNTY JAILS FOR POTENTIAL IMMIGRATION VIOLATIONS?

>> YEAH, I WANT TO BE SURE I'M CLEAR ON ONE THING, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SHOULD NOT BE INVOLVED ON IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ON THE STREETS.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE JAILS, IT IS IMPORTANT WE WORK WITH ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS, THAT'S FEDERAL PARTNERS AS WELL.

FBI, ATF, HOMELAND SECURITY.

LIKE SHERIFF PENZONE, I WILL CONTINUE THE POLICY TO ALLOW I.C.E.

ENFORCEMENT TO SCREEN EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT COMES THROUGH INTAKE.

NOW, I WILL NOT TOLERATE THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL PRACTICES OF COURTESY HOLDS THAT SHERIFF ARPAIO WAS INVOLVED IN WHEN HE WAS SHERIFF.

TED: THE IDEA THEY WOULD BE DETAINED, ONCE THEY'RE RELEASED, YOU'RE OKAY WITH THAT?

>> AS LONG AS IT FALSE UNDER THE CONSTITUTION, THEY'RE NOT VIOLATING THE RIGHTS, I AM IN AGREEMENT WITH THAT.

TED: WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT, RUSS?

>> WE DON'T ENFORCE IMMIGRATION LAW.

WE PROVIDE THE JAIL SYSTEM, WE SERVICE 26 AGENCIES THAT BOOK IN THROUGH THE SYSTEM.

WE PROVIDE FLOOR SPACE FOR A SAFE ENVIRONMENT TO DO THEIR JOBS AND PROVIDE PROCESS, AND I.C.E.

IS IN THERE, I.C.E.

WILL CONTINUE TO DO VETTING OF THAT.

IF THEY ARE NOT PICKING THEM UP, WE WILL NOT TAKE THEM.

THEY HAVE TO PROCESS THEM AT THAT POINT IN TIME.

IF THEY'RE DUE TO BE RELEASED AND THEY ARE NOT BEING DETAINED AT THAT POINT, WE WILL RELEASE THEM FROM JAIL.

TED: RUSSELL, DO COUNTY RESIDENTS WANT THE MCSO TO PARTNER WITH THAT MUCH IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AND ISSUES?

THESE ARE FOLKS THAT ONCE THEY'RE RELEASED, THEY'RE DETAINED.

MAY NOT BE DETAINED IN THERE, BUT THEY'RE DETAINED.

THIS IS SOMETHING ESPECIALLY DEMOCRATIC VOTERS IN THE PRIMARY, IS THAT WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE?

>> THAT'S NOT WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE.

WE DO NOT DO IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

THIS IS A FEDERAL LEVEL ISSUE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

WE DON'T CONTROL I.C.E., BORDER PATROL, THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED BY THE VOTERS IF THEY LIKE.

WE HAVE TO PROVIDE SPACE TO OUR PARTNERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS, HAVE GOOD PARTNERSHIPS.

WHEN THEY SEE US FOR STATE LEVEL CRIMES, CITY LEVEL CRIMES, THEY PROCESS THROUGH THAT.

IF THEY VET THEM AND DECIDE TO DETAIN THEM, THEY HAVE TO PICK THEM UP AND MOVE THEM.

THAT'S NOT SOMETHING WE ARE INVOLVED IN WHATSOEVER.

TED: TYLER, LITTLE MORE THAN A PARTNERSHIP, THEN.

A RELATIONSHIP IS NOTHING MORE THAN THAT?

>> I'D LIKE TO EXPLAIN THAT AS I'VE TRAVELED THE COUNTY SPEAKING TO VOTERS, SPEAKING TO PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, I'VE SPOKEN TO PEOPLE ON THE HISPANIC ADVISORY BOARD ON THIS VERY ISSUE, SPOKEN TO PASTORS AS PART OF THE SPANISH SPEAKING PASTORS ASSOCIATION AND THEY TELL ME THAT THEY ARE OKAY WITH PEOPLE THAT COMMIT SERIOUS OFFENSES IF THEY'RE HERE ILLEGALLY WORKING WITH I.C.E.

TO HAVE THEM BE DEPORTED.

TED: BE DEPORTED, AS FAR AS I.C.E.

BEING THERE SCREENING IN THE JAILS?

>> YES, SCREENING FOR SERIOUS OFFENSES, YES.

TED: AGREE?

>> YES.

TED: OKAY.

STICK WITH YOU, TYLER, ON THIS ONE.

WE'RE IN FLUX REGARDING POSSIBLE REFERRAL TO THE BALLOT, REGARDING IMMIGRATION BILL IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT WOULD STEP UP BIGTIME STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THAT WOULD INCLUDE THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

ENFORCE FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAW AND NOT RACIAL PROFILE?

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE, FROM WHAT I READ, SB 1070 ON STEROIDS.

AND COURTS HAVE RULED IN THE PAST FOR LOCAL POLICE TO ENFORCE IMMIGRATION LAWS IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL, AND THAT HAS BEEN COSTLY FOR US IN THIS COUNTY.

I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT AND THE COURT ORDER PROVIDING OVERSIGHT FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DOES NOT ALLOW ANY TYPE OF IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

AND MR. SKINNER AND I BOTH AGREE THAT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT SHOULD BE DONE AT THE FEDERAL, NOT THE LOCAL, LEVEL.

TED: YOU WOULD BE OPPOSED TO THE REFERRAL, IF IT MAKES THE BALLOT?

>> YES.

TED: WHAT ABOUT YOU, RUSS?

>> BOTTOM LINE, WE DON'T ENFORCE FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAW, I HAVE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT NEED SERVICE.

WE'RE DEALING WITH LIMITED RESOURCES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PROPERLY ADDRESSING AND SENDING OUT RESOURCES TO ADDRESS WITH COMMUNITY ISSUES.

IMMIGRATION IS NOT A COUNTY ISSUE, IS NOT A STATE LEVEL ISSUE.

THIS IS A FEDERAL LEVEL ISSUE, AND AS FAR AS THIS GOES, WE STILL HAVE COMMUNITY THAT IS SCARRED, WE STILL HAVE AN AGENCY SCARRED BY THE BAD PRACTICES IN THE PAST, AS WE SAW WITH SB 1070 AND THAT GETTING OVERTURNED.

I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS GOING TO MAKE IT OFF ANYWHERE, WE'RE IN THE NINTH CIRCUIT.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN THROUGH AND DONE, AND IT IS NOT CONSTITUTIONAL, AND WE POLICE CONSTITUTIONALLY.

TED: IT'S WRAPPED UP IN THE FIFTH CIRCUIT IN TEXAS WHICH IS MODELED AFTER SB 1070.

WE COULD GO ON FOREVER, BUT WE WON'T.

I WANT TO GET QUICK IMPRESSIONS HERE REGARDING, START WITH YOU, RUSS, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, DRUG TRAFFICKING.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO IMPROVE THESE CONCERNS?

>> WE ACTUALLY HAVE PARTNERED QUITE A BIT TO GET GRANT PROGRAMS, WE PARTNER WITH ASU'S STIR UP GRANT.

WE HAVE A TABLET PROGRAM THAT GIVES QUESTIONNAIRES TO IDENTIFY VICTIMS TO GET THEM THE RESOURCES AND START TO INVESTIGATE THAT.

I ALSO, PART OF THAT GRANT IS FOR TRAINING FOR OUR INVESTIGATORS AND PART OF THE TASK FORCE IN THE EAST VALLEY.

WE HAVE EAST VALLEY AND WEST VALLEY TASK FORCE MADE UP OF SEX CRIME INVESTIGATORS.

OUR STAFF MEMBERS GO TO THE TRAINING OR PART OF THE ORGANIZATION, WE CONTINUE TO BE AGGRESSIVE, CONTINUE TO LOOK AT LEGISLATURE TO ENHANCE THE PENALTIES RELATIVE TO IT, AND WE WILL CONTINUE THE MISSION.

THE DRUG SIDE OF IT OBVIOUSLY TIED INTO OTHER ISSUES.

WE TOOK OFF 1.1 MILLION PILLS OF FENTANYL THIS LAST WEEK, AND I WILL TELL YOU THIS IS A PROBLEM WE CONTINUE TO BE PROGRESSIVE ABOUT, PROACTIVE ABOUT AND PUT RESOURCES FORWARD TO HELP ERADICATE.

TED: YOU'RE SAYING THE RESULTS ARE THERE?

>> THE RESULTS ARE COMING.

LISTEN, ILLICIT ACTIVITIES ALWAYS CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE NATION, THROUGHOUT THIS WORLD.

WE HAVE TO DO OUR BEST TO CONTINUE TO MITIGATE THEM.

HAVE TO BE OUR BEST TO DETECT THEM AND ENFORCE THE PENALTIES AND MAKE SURE WE GET THE BAD APPLES OFF THE STREET.

TED: HUMAN SMUGGLING AND DRUG SMUGGLING, FENTANYL THE BIGGIE HERE, WHAT CAN BE DONE BETTER TO ADDRESS CONCERNS?

>> THIS IS MY WHEEL HOUSE, SPENT OVER HALF MY CAREER INVESTIGATING CRIMINAL STREET GANGS, DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATIONS, I MOVED MY FAMILY OVERSEAS FIGHTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

IMPLEMENTED COUNTLESS AGENCIES TRAINING LOU TO EFFECTIVELY INVESTIGATE HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE CAN DO MORE EFFECTIVELY IS PARTNER AND EQUIP THE PUBLIC.

RESOURCES ARE LIMITED AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THROUGHOUT EVERY AGENCY IN THE VALLEY, AND WE HAVE TO PARTNER WITH AND TRUST THE COMMUNITY TO FIGHT THIS PROBLEM.

IF WE EMPOWER AND EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY, LOOK HOW MANY MORE EYES AND EARS WE HAVE ON THE STREET THAT CAN HELP US IDENTIFY THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATIONS AND THE DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATIONS.

TED: LAST QUESTION BECAUSE WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

RELATIVELY BRIEF.

TYLER, START WITH YOU, THE BIGGEST NEED FOR IMPROVEMENT AT MCSO IS?

>> THERE'S TWO.

IT'S STAFFING AND TRUST IN THE COMMUNITY, SO -- AND STAFFING, WE'VE TALKED AT GREAT LENGTH ABOUT THE COURT ORDERS BUT THAT IS A BIG ISSUE, WE NEED TO COMPLY AND GRADUATE FROM THE COURT ORDERS AND FREE UP RESOURCES TO BETTER SERVE THE PUBLIC.

IT WILL IMPROVE RECRUITING AND RETENTION.

TRUST IS IMPORTANT, WHEN I SPEAK FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY, THEY DON'T FULLY TRUST THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

WE HAVE TO DO BETTER ENGAGING WITH THE PUBLIC.

TED: GOT ABOUT 30 SECONDS HERE.

>> NO ONE ISSUE, MANY ISSUES.

I DON'T WANT TO TAKE IT WHERE WE FOCUS ON ONE.

RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, ENFORCEMENT, CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE BEST LEVEL OF SERVICES IN THE JAIL COMMUNITY.

ENHANCING PROGRAMS RELATIVE TO MAKING SURE REHABILITATION COMMUNITY COMING OUT OF THE JAIL COMMUNITY.

MAKING SURE THE BEST UTILIZATION OF RESOURCES AND COMMUNITY SERVICE EFFORTS TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE PUBLIC SAFETY AT HIGHEST LEVEL.

TED: GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU, CANDIDATES, A TIME FOR CLOSING STATEMENTS AND GOING IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, WE BEGIN WITH TYLER KAMP.

>> WHO DO YOU TRUST TO FULLY COMPLY AND GRADUATE FROM THE COURT ORDER?

THE COURT ORDERS THAT COST THE COUNTY OVER QUARTER BILLION DOLLARS AND CONTINUES TO GROW.

WHO DO YOU TRUST NOT TO ABUSE THE POWER OF THE OFFICE?

SOMEBODY WHO SPENT 24 YEARS WORKING FOR JOE ARPAIO WHO NOT ONCE OBJECTED TO UNCONSTITUTIONAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF THE OFFICE.

THE FIRST COMPLIANCE OFFICER TACKLING COURT ORDERS FAILED, RESULTED IN A SECOND COURT ORDER IN 2016, FAILED AGAIN, RESULTING IN THIRD COURT ORDER IN 2022.

THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY IS DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN EXPECTING A DIFFERENT OUTCOME.

OR SOMEBODY LIKE MYSELF, A FRESH FACE WITH A FRESH VOICE WITH THE PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF GETTING THINGS DONE.

SOMEBODY WHO HAS THE TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE OF A CRIME FIGHTER, DIPLOMATIC EXPERIENCE OF WORKING OVERSEAS.

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH LOCAL NONPROFITS.

THERE'S A REASON WHY SHERIFF PENZONE WAS APPOINTED BY REPUBLICANS ON THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND I WAS RECRUITED BY THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

ORGANIZATIONS THAT FAIL TO ADAPT AND CHANGE ARE READY.

MY NAME IS TYLER KAMP AND I WOULD BE HONORED TO GET YOUR VOTE FOR SHERIFF.

TED: NOW RUSS SKINNER.

>> BACKGROUND EACH CANDIDATE.

WHO IS THE BEST ONE TO RUN THE ORGANIZATION.

THIS IS NOT JUST ANY ORGANIZATION, FOURTH LARGEST SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN MARICOPA COUNTY.

9200 SQUARE MILES.

SHERIFF PENZONE WAS THE LAST SHERIFF.

ASK YOU TO LOOK HOW THE AGENCY HAS BEEN RUN OVER THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.

I WAS HIS NUMBER TWO IN EXECUTIVE COMMAND THE ENTIRE TIME.

HE WANTED ME TO PURSUE THIS MEASURE TO MOVE FORWARD.

I WAS APPOINTED BY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS BECAUSE THERE WAS TRUST THERE.

THEY'RE MUCH LIKE ME WHERE THERE IS NOT POLITICAL TIE WITH IT.

WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE PROGRESS AND LOOK AT PROGRESS WITH REFORMS IN THE COURT ORDER, PERCENTAGES ARE SHOWING WE ARE COMPLETING NECESSARY CHALLENGES AND MAKING THE NECESSARY REFORMS IN PLACE.

I KNOW THIS AGENCY.

WHAT BETTER RECRUITING AND RETENTION TOOL IS THERE FOR THE AGENCY THAN SOMEBODY THAT KNOWS THEM BY NAME, THE COMMUNITY BY NAME AND THE AGENCIES WE PARTNER WITH BY NAME.

THEY KNOW I'M A PHONE CALL AWAY.

I ASK THE VOTERS, DO YOUR HOMEWORK.

TED: THANK YOU, CANDIDATES.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING TONIGHT'S DEBATE.

OUR NEXT "ARIZONA HORIZON" DEBATE WILL BE TUESDAY MAY 21 AS WE HEAR FROM CANDIDATES RUNNING IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FROM ARIZONA'S CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

YOU CAN CATCH ALL OF OUR SHOWS LIVE ON ARIZONA PBS.ORG OR STREAMED LIVE ON YouTube AND FACEBOOK.

THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.