
Sheriff Joe Arpaio (Tribune photo)
You might have seen the Tribune story Friday about Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio telling Guadalupe that the town has 180 days to embrace his approach to illegal immigration enforcement, or to find a new local police agency. Arpaio dropped this bit of news during a meeting with the Tribune Editorial Board. Arpaio, his top deputy on illegal immigration issues and a pair of publicity handlers came to Mesa to discuss how immigration enforcement has evolved over the past three years at the sheriff’s office. You’ll read more about that in the near future.
But I want to address for a moment widespread rumors that Arpaio doesn’t really run the sheriff’s office anymore. Stories are being told in courtroom hallways and coffee shops that old age has caught up with Arpaio; that he’s lost a sizeable amount of his mental faculties. The rumors continue that Arpaio is largely a figurehead and public face while shadowy assistants are actually in charge, making all of controversial decisions but escaping most public scrutiny. I saw absolutely no evidence of this during our 90-minute conversation with Arpaio Friday. He was firmly in control of the meeting and had a clear understanding of what the office has done on illegal immigration and how that has changed over time. He anticipated questions and never was befuddled or confused.
As with publicists and public information officers everywhere, Lisa Allen MacPherson and Capt. Paul Chagolla did seek several times to further explain or clarify Arpaio’s comments. But Arpaio interrupted them almost as often to make the point his way or to move on to another topic.
Whether you love or hate Arpaio’s approach to illegal immigration, I’m convinced he knows exactly what he’s doing.