Maricopa County sheriff primary election: Candidates weigh in on staffing shortage, court monitor

Five current and former law enforcement officers are running to be Maricopa County's next sheriff.

Russ Skinner, appointed to finish the rest of former Sheriff Paul Penzone's term, is running against former Phoenix police Officer Tyler Kamp for the Democratic nomination.

Three candidates are running for the Republican nomination: Former chief of both the Department of Public Safety and Mesa Police Department Frank Milstead, former Glendale police Officer Mike Crawford, and retired Maricopa County Chief Deputy Jerry Sheridan.

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Early voting began on July 3. Voters who choose to vote by mail are advised to mail their ballot by July 23 or drop it off at a ballot drop-off location or voting location by July 30.

The Arizona Republic asked each candidate to answer five questions on the county jails and their priorities should they assume the role of Maricopa County sheriff. Here's what they had to say, in alphabetical order.

Why do you want this job?

Mike Crawford: The people of Maricopa County deserve a sheriff that they can be proud of. MCSO needs true leadership, and I believe I am the right one to solve the issues and lead them into the future.

Tyler Kamp: As a fifth-generation resident of Maricopa County, I want to ensure we have a safe community where all can thrive. I have always strived to be a difference-maker and serve my community in both my personal and professional life.

As sheriff, I want to build on the successes of Sheriff Penzone and continue to move the MCSO forward with integrity, accountability, and effective policing that ensures a safe Maricopa County for all. With over two decades in law enforcement leadership investigating homicides and organized crime, to my executive experience living overseas fighting human trafficking, to my work with local non-profits, my experience represents the ideal blend of innovative crime-fighting techniques, community engagement, and compassionate justice necessary to lead the Sheriff’s Office.

The MCSO has an unfortunate history of immoral and unconstitutional practices targeting people of color, resulting in over $300 million in costs to the taxpayers, fractured community trust, and a culture of intimidation. We are only one generation removed from that abuse, and Maricopa County needs a sheriff capable of leading the Sheriff’s Office forward so it does not slide backward.

Since the Maricopa County Democratic Party asked me to run, I have attended nearly 200 events across the County, learning and listening to folks from all walks of life, from the Farmer’s Bureau to legislative districts. This is representative of how I would serve as sheriff, ensuring justice for all, protecting everyone equally, and a willingness to learn and listen to the needs of the community.

Frank Milstead: The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office needs strong leadership with someone at the helm with the wisdom and executive police experience to timely meet the requirements of the three court orders levied against the department.

I believe my greatest strengths were demonstrated when I had the privilege of leading not one but two major police organizations during my law enforcement career, both as chief of the Mesa Police Department and as colonel of the Department of Public Safety. I have the ability and capability to build quality, high-performing teams to solve complex issues coupled with the strength of my leadership and the impressive talent of the deep bench I can draw upon.

I want to be the Maricopa County sheriff to give back to the community in which I grew up. It would be my honor to serve the men and women who work at MCSO and fix this agency, and I would be honored to work for the people of Maricopa County.

Jerry Sheridan: I am seeking the position of sheriff of Maricopa County because I am not happy with the way the current sheriff’s administration has run the place where I spent 40 years wearing the uniform of a deputy sheriff, ultimately retiring as the chief deputy.

The mass exodus of employees over the past seven and a half years has led to a severe shortage of detention officers, deputies and civilian employees. This has greatly impacted public safety and the safety of officers and deputies.

Currently, there is an estimated shortage of 1,500 employees. The shortage of detention officers has also led to a crisis of in-custody inmate deaths that has averaged 49 per year for the past seven years. This is unconscionable.

Calls for service by the public have gone unanswered or with lengthy response times. It is my belief that employees have quit or retired early because of a lack of confidence in the current administration.

I have been asked by many rank-and-file employees to run for sheriff and enjoy the support of the vast majority of them. They know I am a strong leader who knows the job because I have been in an executive leadership position for 20 years and a leader for 33 years of the 40 that I was employed. I believe I can make a difference and bring back people to the Sheriff’s Office so we can better serve the citizens of Maricopa County.

Russ Skinner: I have been a deputy sheriff employed with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office for over 34 years and have been dedicated to serving this office and the public. My father was also a deputy with MCSO, and I grew up in this agency. I have always had a desire for public safety and a deep appreciation for the employees of the Sheriff’s Office. I am the first sheriff since 1944 to serve the agency for an entire career and rise through the ranks to become sheriff.

For me, it is not a “want” but rather a passion to continue to provide service and leadership for MCSO. After three decades, I know the staff, our community, and our strengths and challenges. As the current sheriff for Maricopa County, I would like the opportunity to continue the forward momentum of policing in the 21st century and continue the path of unity with our community and public safety partners.

I understand what it means to be a part of this organization, as well as the expectations and responsibilities that come with the position of being the sheriff. I remain true to my oath, serving with pride, honor and integrity. I have contemporary experience in all facets of leadership within the office, including enforcement operations, custody operations, and compliance operations as we move through agency compliance with federal court orders and monitor oversight. I am committed to the forward progress of our public safety mission in support of those we serve.

What is the biggest challenge facing the Maricopa County jail system, and how would you address it?

Crawford: Our top responsibility is the safety and security of the detention officers and those who they are entrusted to care for who are currently serving time in the MCSO jails. We have to hire 30% more detention officers to handle the workflow. The workflows in the jail need to be aligned with better procedures to also ensure that we are staffing the jails in a conservative manner to save the taxpayers’ money that we are entrusted with. This will also make the jails safer for the detention officers.

Kamp: Staffing shortages across all areas of the jail system are dangerously low, creating an unsafe working environment for employees and the inmates they are responsible for protecting. It also limits the ability for the MCSO to provide effective educational opportunities and drug treatment programs designed to prevent recidivism.

As sheriff, I will work to revamp recruiting, specifically targeting women and veterans’ populations while also focusing on retention. I would create robust employee wellness programs that include an early recognition and support system for our employees.

Workers in our jail are tasked with a very challenging and demanding job, working long hours, nights and weekends in a difficult environment. An intentional wellness program would provide access to a clinical practitioner, peer support, mental health checkups and walk-in support for all employees and their families.

I would also seek partnerships with nonprofit groups that could help fill staffing shortages related to educational programs that prevent recidivism. Equipping inmates with vocational tools and creating a workforce pipeline are essential to providing the skills necessary to lead a successful life once time is served.

Milstead: There are many challenges facing the Maricopa County jail system. If I have to pick only one challenge, I will choose safety as the number one issue. Safety for those working detention and those being incarcerated, currently everyone working and housed in the jail system here is at risk.

Currently, there is an unsustainable staffing model. There is insufficient screening of persons and products entering the jail system, and this affects everyone. We need to find creative staffing models using both private and county resources. There needs to be a trustee program, which would allow those with minimal bonds to work off their bond by providing work for the county.

There needs to be a warm release back into society, allowing for the minimization of recidivism. I would revisit with other institutions about allowing detention officers back into the state retirement system, as I believe that impacted a number of issues, including staffing.

Sheridan: The biggest problem facing the sheriff’s jails is the fentanyl epidemic within the system. I attribute this to a lack of staffing. Approximately 300 inmates have died while in sheriff’s custody since 2017. These deaths have occurred primarily because of homicides resulting from a “drug war” in the jail system and from drug overdoses.

Many inmates are taken to the emergency room on a daily basis to be treated if they are lucky enough to not die of an overdose. An officer who works in the jails recently told me that they “cannot keep enough Narcan on the shelves.” There is a shortage of over 1,100 detention officers. This severe understaffing leads to improper search techniques/frequency of inmates smuggling the drugs in and through the system.

I will address this with an aggressive hiring process and managing the staff to slow down the attrition of officers. I have had many former detention officers tell me in the past year that if I get elected sheriff they will come back and work for me; and many of those that are still there say that if I don’t get elected they are leaving. It all comes down to leadership. People need to know their leaders care about them and will work in their best interest.

Skinner: Not uncommon to detention facilities across the nation, the Maricopa County jail system faces two major challenges: the health and wellness of inmates, and adequate staffing for their care and custody. In recent years, we've seen a rise in inmates entering the jail system with mental health and dependency issues, necessitating better rehabilitation and re-entry services.

To tackle this, I've collaborated with our custody team and Maricopa County Correctional Health Services to implement several enhanced programs. These programs range from additional resource information added to the inmate tablets, the REDEEM Program that provides intensive treatment and cognitive restructuring for substance use disorders, and soon to rollout is the inmate medical monitoring program to increase response for inmates encountering medical issues. I have always been committed to establishing additional partnerships with countywide clinical service providers and non-profits to assist with expansion of inmate programs and resources.

Staffing shortages are also a critical concern, affecting detention operations nationwide, including MCSO. I continue to prioritize retention and recruitment and recently increased detention officer critical retention pay an additional 5%. I am in the process for other benefit increase approvals by the county while working with county and state leadership to fight for additional compensation and benefit proposals, including a return of the pension system and a proposed salary step plan.

In your view, what should be the most significant law enforcement priority for the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office? Why and how would you address it?

Crawford: Maricopa County needs more deputies on the streets and less bureaucrats in the buildings. It is time to keep pace with the expanding population growth so we can address issues as they arise. We will hire 20% more deputies to address the increasing property and retail crimes, human and drug trafficking, and the well-being of all who call Maricopa County home.

Kamp: The most significant priority of the Sheriff’s Office is to provide protection for all in Maricopa County. Every decision or policy I make as sheriff must be viewed through the lens — will this make us safer, and will we feel safer? The most effective way to accomplish this is to ensure justice for all, specifically three types of justice: doing justice, restorative justice and preventative justice.

Doing justice is upholding the law, holding people accountable for their actions. This includes holding ourselves accountable, and that means complying with the federal court orders. We can also be more effective by utilizing cutting-edge technology and statistical analysis to identify repeat offenders and the most violent perpetrators. Sophisticated interagency investigations led by the Sheriff’s Office will also result in significant crime reduction across the county.

Restorative justice is an essential component to providing protection because it prevents recidivism. Educational opportunities, career development and life skill mentorship programs give inmates hope, a critical motivator to pivot from previous criminal choices. Preventative justice is holistic-based policing, treating the root of the problem and not just the symptoms.

We must provide community education on crime and scam prevention, and we also must identify how we can connect professional resources and nonprofit groups with the needs of the community. We are all collectively responsible for public safety, so we need a collective response to provide the best protection possible.

Milstead: The most significant law enforcement priority for the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is public safety. Everything we do should support this mission.

Currently, Maricopa County highways, lakes, parks, and rivers are understaffed by uniform patrol which means residents and visitors are less safe. Being understaffed, deputies are not able to be proactive about safety, including ensuring our water and roadways are safe. MCSO deputies are working mandatory overtime. This means they are tired, overworked and that they are not able to get the time off they need to rest. All of this leads to burnout and impacts retention and public safety as well.

As Maricopa County Sheriff, I will prioritize recruitment and retention. The best way to do this is to resolve the issues involving the court orders. The staff of the office need to feel valued and safe at work. The best recruiting tool for any police agency is the women and men who work for the department.

Sheridan: The most significant problem facing the citizens of Maricopa County is the fentanyl drug crisis. Six people on average die of drug overdoses in Maricopa County each day, four of which are attributed to fentanyl. It has been said that 80% of fentanyl coming into the U.S. comes through Arizona. Most crime is related to drug use.

The Vekol Valley in the southern part of Maricopa County near Gila Bend is a major drug smuggling corridor. In January 2017 shortly after I retired from MCSO, the Sheriff’s Office disbanded the Drug Interdiction Teams I had working the Vekol Valley area since 2010.

This was a serious mistake as the sheriff’s deputies who were assigned to this unit made a huge impact on enforcing the law and curtailing the smuggling activities of the drug cartels. Upon taking office I will place those deputies back out into the desert to track the drug/human/child sex traffickers and apprehend them like they did for six years.

Skinner: The most significant law enforcement priority for the Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement in general is increasing public trust in the communities we serve and that their public safety needs are met. Under my leadership, the Sheriff’s Office continues to provide professional public safety and custody services while maintaining a culture of accountability and transparency.

MCSO regularly publishes on its website policies, internal affairs, traffic stop data, inmate deaths, and future deployments of crime data and online reporting. I regularly meet with community advisory boards, including the African American, Hispanic, LGBTQ+, and Community Advisory Boards, to continue dialogue between MCSO and community members to address community needs and enhance public safety and incarceration engagement while remaining involved in proactive local community events and meetings.

I have and will continue to invest in training, including school safety/active shooter response, de-escalation techniques, constitutional policing, and ethical decision-making, while annually reviewing and revising our policies to align with best practices and community expectations.

I continually foster a culture of trust, transparency, and community partnerships while building strong relationships with our public safety, non-profits, and governmental bodies. Maricopa County’s growth demands our best efforts. I remain focused on public safety, community engagement, agency unity, efficient resource deployment and fiscal stewardship — ensuring MCSO meets our community’s needs with integrity and effectiveness.

How would you approach the court-ordered monitoring of the Sheriff’s Office?

Crawford: My top priority is ensuring all necessary positions are filled to properly handle the backlog of internal affairs complaints and other areas of deficiency so the Sheriff’s Office can and will come into full compliance with the court order. MSCO will become the new highest standard of professionalism within law enforcement in Arizona. We will maintain a level of service within the community that the citizens and taxpayers deserve.

Kamp: In 2013, the federal court found the MCSO engaged in a pattern of unlawful discriminatory police conduct directed at Latinos in our community and jails. Furthermore, the judge determined the MCSO pursued a pattern of illegal retaliation against their perceived critics. As a result, the federal court issued injunctions against the Sheriff’s Office that must be fully complied with for three years. Since the county is financially responsible for the injunctions, it has cost the taxpayers over a quarter billion dollars to date and counting.

Unfortunately, the court orders were needed to force a culture shift at the Sheriff’s Office. Years of discrimination and intimidation fractured trust with the community, therefore damaging the overall public safety in the county.

Fully complying with all three court orders and graduating from them must be a priority in order to free up vital community resources and boost employee morale within the MCSO; however, it takes time, trust and forgiveness to fully reconcile with the community. Effective compliance comes down to people and processes. We must have enough people, the right people, and the most efficient process after a thorough evaluation is done.

Upon graduating from the orders, I would retain many of the changes they brought, including the traffic stop studies, body cameras and the community advisory board. These changes promote transparency and accountability as well as a sense (of) professionalism held across the country as best practices within law enforcement organizations.

Milstead: As sheriff of Maricopa County, I will approach the court-ordered monitoring of the Sheriff’s Office with logic and reason. I will meet with all parties involved so I have a clear understanding of expectations and previous shortcomings.

I will build deep, knowledgeable teams to rapidly solve and resolve issues. I will ensure a system is in place for reporting successes and challenges to the monitoring team, department and county residents.

I do not believe you can legislate world-class police service. This must be a cultural event that begins with the sheriff and his leadership team. I also believe there is always room to increase or enhance police training, but creating complicated policies does nothing but confuse the rank and file of the department.

Sheridan: While I was the chief deputy for MCSO, I had the responsibility of working with the court ordered monitor. I and my staff worked hard to comply with the court order and made significant progress building a foundation for future compliance. Because of this experience, I will be able to continue with the progress that has been made since I left in 2016.

The key to this problem, like many problems, is communication between the parties to address the issues as they arise. I was very involved communicating with the court-appointed monitors and will be again as sheriff — I will not leave this just to my staff.

I have a proven track record of being able to settle civil lawsuits. Hart v. Hill was filed in federal court in the early 80s. This particular lawsuit involved unsentenced inmate rights. I and my staff were able to satisfy this civil rights lawsuit, which had been ongoing for over 30 years, by communicating with the plaintiffs' lawyers & the federal court. This past experience ensures that I will be able to make immediate progress.

Skinner: I am committed to achieving compliance and concluding the need for oversight of the Melendres court order during my elected term. With my experience in the office and over 10 years working directly on issues related to the court’s orders, I will continue forward progress during my elected term.

Achieving full and effective compliance, bringing closure to federal oversight, and restoring trust within the community requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach to address the remaining issues.

I will continue to work closely with our staff, plaintiffs' council, the monitor, and the Community Advisory Board. I have demonstrated my commitment to accountability by maintaining open lines of communication with the parties involved and engaging with the Hispanic community to seek input, address concerns and rebuild trust. Compliance involves more than just initial adherence to the terms of the orders.

It requires sustained effort to maintain and uphold the standards and practices. It requires the implementation of policy, provision of training, establishment of oversight mechanisms, and development of a culture of accountability. MCSO continues to build on the progress made and strives toward achieving meaningful and lasting reform while fostering a culture that will prevent the type of constitutional violations that led to the court’s orders from reoccurring at MCSO.

MCSO has achieved substantial compliance over the last several years. I am committed to leading the office through the remainder of the process for full and effective compliance to bring closure to federal oversight while ensuring sustainable reform for the office.

What principles would guide the actions of the Sheriff's Office under your leadership?

Crawford: As an Air Force Veteran and a 28-year law enforcement professional, I have served under both incredible leadership and poor leadership. I have witnessed how vital integrity, honesty and true public service are for the communities that we serve. As sheriff, I (would) bring a forward-focused approach to law enforcement service with the highest level of integrity, honesty and true public service.

Kamp: The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is a unique and diverse organization operating the third-largest jail system in the country while protecting the unincorporated areas of the fourth-largest county in the country. With an approximate half-billion-dollar budget, leading up to 4,000 employees, building trust with the community and navigating the three court orders, it is imperative to elect someone who can lead the MCSO forward.

With a proven track record of getting things done, I can effectively move the Sheriff’s Office forward through my leadership style as a situational leader, all predicated on empathy. Situational leadership is adapting my style to the development level of each team member based on their skills, confidence and motivation.

There are times I will need to be direct to create movement or change quickly, and other times I will need to be more of a coach, intended to promote development. In order to build successful teams, I will need to collaborate with others, and to enhance autonomy or efficiency I will need to focus on empowerment.

The driving principle behind situational leadership is empathy. Empathy is a noun, but it is also an action. It is the ability to identify with another person’s situation or feeling. It provides insight into the public safety needs of our community and identifies the most effective way to develop our employees and take the Sheriff’s Office to the next level.

Milstead: The principles that would guide the actions of MCSO under my leadership will be transparency and accountability; integrity and ethic; respect, fairness and impartiality. I plan to build an agency that provides world-class police service.

Law enforcement agencies should be accountable to the public and maintain transparency in their operations, policies and decision-making processes. Deputies will uphold the highest standards of honesty and moral conduct. Safety, for members of the department, the community and incarcerated inmates. These ideals should be paramount in everyone’s mind in the office, whether you are a member of the professional or sworn staff. Be on offense using proactive measures to suppress crime through proven police methods.

I will be a Constitutional Sheriff and a Community Sheriff. I will be present and in the community for the citizens I serve, building and maintaining strong relationships in the community, involving citizens in safety and crime prevention efforts. I will be available to the constituents I serve.

Sheridan: The overall guiding principle of my 40-year career with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has been one of service. Service to the public by providing a safe constitutional jail system, and deputies who do everything they can to keep the public safe.

My leadership philosophy is: I work for the people of MCSO, who in turn work for the people of Maricopa County. This philosophy is one that leads to public safety and protection of the civil rights of all citizens.

Skinner: Throughout my career as a peace officer and public servant, I've upheld ethics, integrity, and professionalism while unequivocally carrying out my duties constitutionally, unbiased, and in a sound manner.

With unwavering dedication to our community, guided by equality and respect, I ensure our public safety mission exceeds expectations. Under my leadership, fairness and accountability are non-negotiable, free from bias. I remain true to my oath and MCSO policy with the expectation that all members of the agency be held accountable for doing the same.

I prioritize fiscal responsibility and strategic planning and resource deployment, collaborating closely with law enforcement partners. With over 34 years at MCSO, standing shoulder to shoulder with our staff and the community, I'm committed to the safety of our employees, the public, and our inmate population.

Beyond safety, I advocate for environments where everyone can thrive, pushing for enhanced wellness initiatives, competitive compensation and benefits, progressive training, and improved inmate rehabilitation and re-entry programs tailored to community needs.

As the sheriff, it has been my responsibility to continue to engage with the public, our staff, and outside agencies to ensure unity for proper deployment of resources, delivery of advanced programs and training, and crime reduction strategies while maintaining accountability and transparency and will continue to do so.

Have a news tip? Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 812-243-5582. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @JimmyJenkins.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Maricopa County sheriff primary election 2024: The candidates