Pinal County sheriff primary election: Candidates weigh in on key issues
The Pinal County Sheriff's Office will get a new leader next year. The incumbent, Republican Mark Lamb, is running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Kyrsten Sinema.
The Sheriff's Office patrols unincorporated areas of the county and municipalities without a designated police force. The office also oversees the county's jails, serves court orders and warrants, collects delinquent taxes and coordinates search-and-rescue missions.
Lamb has been Pinal County sheriff since 2017 and will have served two terms by the end of his run.
Republican hopefuls for his replacement are Ross Teeple, Kevin Cavanaugh and Charles Austin Jr.
Patrick Melvin is the only Democrat running.
The Republic asked the candidates four questions about how they would approach their role as sheriff and their priorities if elected.
Austin did not respond. Here's what Cavanaugh, Melvin and Teeple had to say, in alphabetical order. Some answers have been abridged.
Why do you want this job?
Kevin Cavanaugh: I am the only candidate running with the skills, integrity, education, and experience to appropriately manage the Pinal County Sheriff's Office. As (a) Pinal County supervisor, I have learned much about county government and realized citizens would be better served with me as sheriff. Abe Hamadeh said Pinal County corruption would be his number one priority if elected attorney general, and with me being sheriff, Pinal corruption will die on the vine. Rush Limbaugh said do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life; I feel that way about policing.
Patrick Melvin: This may seem like an easy question to answer but, in truth, it’s very complex and layered. I’m concerned about the safety and security of each and every resident of Pinal County, so let me address how current county law enforcement has gone astray and what needs to change.
When I speak with folks across the county, they tell me that they don’t think politics and partisanship have a place in law enforcement, and I agree. It seems to me that the last two Pinal County sheriffs used the office merely as a stepping stone to run for higher elected office. Also, these sheriffs have been involved with politically extreme organizations and seem to feel that it’s their role to interpret the constitutionality of laws and take positions without evidence or authority on election results and procedures. I strongly believe that politics and headline grabbing detract from the sheriff’s sworn duty. Pinal County deserves much better.
The job of law enforcement is to protect and serve, not to be political or usurp the constitutional duties of the legislative or judicial branches of our government. After serving in this noble profession for 38 years (12 years as a police chief in three different agencies and serving as a deputy chief in the fourth-largest Sheriff’s Office in the country, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office) at this stage of my life and my career, I can honestly say this is my dream job. I will not run for another office. Pinal County is my home and as sheriff, I will follow the laws as written by the Arizona Legislature without fear or favor. My sole priority will be the safety and security of the residents of Pinal County.
My 38 years of law enforcement and police department command and executive experience far exceed the limited experience of all my opponents’ experience combined! I’ve led and dramatically improved the operations of police departments at the city, tribal and county levels. I’m running because my unique expertise is exactly what the Pinal County Sheriff’s Department needs: to become a nonpartisan, professional and modern and nationally accredited law enforcement agency. I am the only candidate with police chief level, deputy chief level and command experience. Additionally, I am the only candidate with chief level experience in Pinal County!
Ross Teeple: As the only candidate with Pinal County Sheriff's Office sworn leadership experience, I would like to continue my over 33 years of public service by protecting the individual Liberties of every Pinal County citizen. That is why our current sheriff, Mark Lamb, asked me to run.
What is the biggest challenge facing the Pinal County Sheriff's Office, and how would you address it?
Cavanaugh: An attitude of "This is the way we've always done it" permeates the agency. We have to get past complacency and do what is necessary to provide the best possible customer service to citizens. Transparency is needed.
Melvin: There’s a big challenge in even identifying challenges within the Pinal County sheriff’s department since there hasn’t been a department-wide fiscal and/or performance audit completed for more than 16 years. This defies common sense and professional law enforcement procedures, especially since a major part of the job of the sheriff is implementing effective management controls. Despite accounting for the largest part of the county’s budget and public demands for audits, the citizens have been left in the dark. I’ll correct that deficiency immediately upon taking office. Seeking police accreditation is a part of my management philosophy, which encourages auditing, inspecting and reporting to the community. Being transparent is expected in an accredited professional law enforcement agency and is a leadership characteristic I have enveloped and embraced my entire career.
Keep in mind that every facet of the Sheriff’s Office is contingent on funding through the Pinal County Board of Supervisors (BOS). So, as the sheriff, I will lobby for more money and resources for the women and men of the office. The BOS has many obligations and responsibilities that must also be considered. I caution voters to pay attention to some of the campaign promises being made by my opponents regarding stretching the department well beyond its fiscal restraints and duties to serve and protect the residents of Pinal County. Since none of them have police chief experience, their lack of fiscal experience and budget management is on full display.
Teeple: The biggest challenge is to continue increasing our staffing levels to keep up with the incredible population growth Pinal County is experiencing. Our amazing and professional employees at PCSO are up for any challenge. We need to support them with the proper training and pay so we can continue keeping Pinal County the safest large county in Arizona.
In your view, what should be the most significant law enforcement priority for the Pinal County Sheriff's Office? Why, and how would you address it?
Cavanaugh: The border crossing of illegal drugs and potential terrorists and criminals has put Pinal County and the nation at risk. Dealing with the drug crisis and preparing for the response to potential terror attacks as a result of our open borders must be top priority. Detailed plans to keep our citizens safe and alive in the worst-case scenario now falls to local law enforcement. While Pinal is not a border county, much of the drug and human trafficking occurs on highways within our county. I would start a motor carrier enforcement unit to stop every possible truck and bus coming from our border.
Melvin: I believe the most pressing issue facing Pinal County’s Sheriff’s Office is a recent allegation made by one of my Republican opponents about highly questionable behavior within the Sheriff’s Office. These issues need to be addressed immediately, and strong and decisive steps taken to solve these problems. The office and the people who serve should be above reproach, and misconduct of any kind cannot be tolerated. I have extensive experience in evaluating law enforcement organizations as a certified National Accreditation Assessor, and as a three-time police chief, I have a history of success in organizational turnarounds. As a police chief with experience in accountability protocols and previous experience serving in internal affairs with the Phoenix Police Department, there will be no learning curve for me as I will hit the ground running on day one.
Ongoing priorities also call for us to hire more staff and retain the staff we have. Like many Arizona law enforcement agencies, Pinal County is understaffed. Any sheriff’s office is only as good as the deputies and professional staff (civilians) who serve within the organization. I believe we need to hire more professional deputies and work toward making the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office a destination agency for the finest and the brightest law enforcement professionals in the state. Make no mistake, the challenge is clear since we will be competing for the finest candidates. Professionalism and leadership from the helm, with me as the sheriff, will be a positive draw for future guardian protectors.
I also believe that we need to replenish the pipeline of qualified law enforcement professionals. As a former adjunct college professor with current contacts in the field of academia, I would like to see our state universities and colleges strengthen their law enforcement certificate programs. We need to build the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office as a destination agency for the best and the brightest law enforcement and retain the people who join our ranks. As a police chief, I have adopted a motto of “hire here and retire here.” And I will ensure a positive and professional workplace environment which encourages our greatest assets, our team members desire to stay and eventually retire from the PCSO.
My 38 years of experience has given me insight into what the community expects of a professional deputy/officer. I began serving as a police commander (2 stars) in 2004 with the Phoenix Police Department, which is coincidentally prior to any of my opponents even beginning service as a certified law enforcement officer or deputy! During my command and executive police tenure, I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t. As a police chief, I have made difficult decisions. However, although difficult, they were the best decisions for the good of the community and for the agencies in which I have served. I am not afraid to make difficult decisions and I will continue making appropriate decisions as the sheriff of Pinal County. I have a proven track record of getting law enforcement organizations back on track, which is sorely needed in Pinal County.
Teeple: The most significant law enforcement priority in Pinal County is arresting and prosecuting dangerous criminals to keep Pinal County free and safe. We locate, identify and investigate the truly bad actors and then put them in prison so they can't victimize anyone else. It doesn't matter if it's a child molester, human sex trafficker, drug dealer poisoning our children, or murderer, they need to go away for a long time to keep everyone safe. That is what I have been doing for the last 17-plus years at PCSO, working my way up the ranks to my current position as one of Sheriff Lamb's lieutenants.
What principles would guide the actions of the Sheriff's Office under your leadership?
Cavanaugh: Do right no matter what. Our political climate is one of self-preservation, with elected leaders looking the other way or cowering when faced with problems, including corruption. I will establish an atmosphere of adherence to principles of truth, transparency, excellence and hard work, which will be recognized and rewarded.
Melvin: As a former commissioned U.S. Army officer, a man of faith and a person who values and upholds family principles, I firmly believe that a professional sheriff should uphold and enforce the laws enacted by our state legislature. It is not the sheriff’s role to put him or herself at the center of public policy debates. In my opinion, previous Pinal County sheriffs have positioned themselves as policy experts in the pursuit of celebrity. For example, instead of making inflammatory statements about immigration, our time would be better spent partnering with the U.S. Border Patrol and our law enforcement colleagues to work collectively within the confines of federal and state laws.
There are two basic philosophies about the role of law enforcement. Some see themselves as warriors, and others see themselves as guardians. My philosophy is consistent with the guardian model of protecting and serving our community, and this is one of the key differences between me and my opponents. We should work closely with the communities we serve to protect all of our residents.
I believe the influence of politics with its emphasis on grandstanding degrades the important conversations we need to have. I’m committed to serving in a nonpartisan manner. Once the election is over, partisanship must end, and we must find ways to work together to make this the finest Sheriff’s Office in the state of Arizona.
Teeple: Integrity. Adherence to both the federal and state constitutions. Protecting each individual's inalienable rights. Fiscal responsibility. Public engagement. Not enforcing unlawful mandates. This is not the time or place to experiment with a politician that thinks they can run the Sheriff's Office. Elect a sheriff that knows how to run it. That is why I'm endorsed by not only our current sheriff but also by honorably retired Pinal County Sheriff Roger Vanderpool.
Reach the reporter at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Pinal County sheriff primary election 2024: The candidates
