Babeu brings accountability

I am running for Pinal County Sheriff to improve law enforcement service in the fastest growing county in America. We should be the leaders for training, technology and professionalism in law enforcement. Our deputies, detention officers and civilians deserve the best training and equipment to meet our growing needs and current threats.

As your Sheriff, I will improve emergency response times, enforce the law evenly and professionally, investigate all reports of crimes and have the best trained deputies. Our deputies do not receive the training to meet the current threats and emergencies facing our families. I will start with first aid and CPR certification, currently not provided. This is unacceptable in a rural county, where the first response is often a single deputy.

When a deputy arrives, it should be a professional experience where a fair and thorough investigation is provided. Tougher enforcement, resulting in arrests and charges will go far in ending the revolving door that currently exits. More pro-active policing is needed to show a stronger and more visible patrol presence in neighborhoods, where citizens often complain, “I have never seen a deputy drive down my street.”

Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) needs simple advances in technology, which will shorten emergency response times and allow for higher visibility in neighborhoods. PCSO needs to be brought into the 21st century when it comes to simple technology of police computers in every patrol vehicle. Computers allow deputies to view maps to arrive at emergencies faster and write reports in neighborhoods or other “high profile” areas instead of always having to return to the substation.

I’m also very concerned for the safety of our detention officers and troubled by the current PCSO administration philosophy of “the inmates run the jail and we just manage it.” As sheriff I will make it clear that detention staff runs and controls the county jail and all inmates. I will implement procedures to ensure the safety of my employees and broaden community work programs, so criminals can pay back their debt to society.

As your sheriff, I will expand block watch programs and Citizens on Patrol programs in all unincorporated areas and will resource them with equipment, training and better communication. I fully support our Mounted Unit and will improve our part-time Bicycle Unit to full time as the economy improves.

I will start a youth Explorer program for our Pinal County teenagers, focused in unincorporated areas. Pinal County deputies will mentor and encourage youth to get fit, stay out of trouble, learn about law enforcement and serve their community. This will provide additional healthy options for idle teens in our communities.

I shall externally hire and internally promote the very best qualified candidates to replace the outgoing administration by ending the good old boy system that has existed in Pinal County and where our sworn profession’s integrity has been compromised. I have not made promises or offers of positions to anyone, period. I shall change the current culture of promises and special favors, which has corrupted Pinal County. Fairness in promotions, training for all staff and an even hand in discipline will be implemented. Imagine an atmosphere where all employees are respected and treated with fairness. Imagine the improved morale and enhanced work performance that will follow.

I will immediately change the culture of the Sheriff’s Office by providing the command direction that is lacking. I shall effectively communicate my goals and my expectations of professionalism in our personal and professional conduct. I will lead by setting a good example of high integrity and demand for excellence in my own work. All employees shall be held accountable for their performance and service we provide the public.

I offer more than change, I offer accountability. I offer the leadership desperately needed at the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. I shall bring my training as a government manager (Master’s Degree in Public Administration), having served four years as an elected County Commissioner – where I balanced budgets, addressed public issues and pulled Democrats and Republicans together in liberal Massachusetts. In my 19 years of military service, I have consistently exceeded all mission expectations and received commendations and medals as an army officer. You can expect marked improvement once I am given the opportunity to lead. My insistence on a well trained, more disciplined force will result in improved law enforcement to you and your family. I ask for your help, support and vote in this historic election.

Paul Babeu lives in Queen Creek and is a Chandler Police Officer, Army Major and the Republican candidate for Pinal County Sheriff.

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