Paul R. Babeu, a Pinal County resident and Chandler Police officer, has announced his candidacy for Pinal County sheriff.
Babeu, 38, lives in the fast-growing Johnson Ranch-San Tan area of northern Pinal County. He has filed the necessary paperwork and will run as a Republican.
Babeu is president of the Chandler Law Enforcement Association, the recognized labor organization representing all of Chandler’s sworn police officers and detectives. He is credited with fostering a high level of cooperation and professionalism between administration and officers, resulting in improved performance, according to a statement his campaign committee released to the media.
In addition, Babeu is a major in the Arizona Army National Guard, having served a tour in Iraq and 16 months deployed in Arizona on Operation Jump Start, Southwest Border Mission. Babeu served as commander of Task Force Yuma, which is responsible for direct support for the U.S. Border Patrol in securing the Arizona-Mexican border, the media release further states. Task Force Yuma was comprised of 700 active duty Army and Air National Guard service members from across the Unites States. The Yuma Sector is one of nine Border Patrol sectors along the four southwestern border states of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
The Yuma Sector, where Major Babeu commanded, achieved and maintained the highest reduction of illegal entries into the United States, with a sustained yearly reduction over 74 percent, the press release stated.
Babeu’s media release announcing his candidacy also states that he was awarded the Meritorious Service medal by Arizona’s adjutant general for exceptional leadership and performance.
Babeu graduated from the Arizona Law Enforcement Academy as the No. 1 overall police recruit and was voted by his fellow officers as the exemplary recruit for Class No. 376. Babeu has been awarded two life-saving medals in the performance of his duties as a patrol officer.
Babeu’s civilian education includes an associate of arts degree in law enforcement, a bachelor of arts degree in history and political science and a master of public administration, suma cum laude.
“Given the opportunity to lead the Sheriff’s Office, I will make it the best in Arizona,” Babeu is quoted as saying in the media release. “I will benchmark future success with faster emergency response times and increased patrol presence. In addition to the many good deputies and detention officers, I will actively recruit and hire the best qualified deputies and detention officers and build the most disciplined and professional agency that Pinal County citizens deserve. I will lead by setting a good example of high integrity, demand for excellence in my work and place the needs of those I serve above my own.”
Babeu added that “Unacceptable ethical lapses and criminal activity by appointed and elected Pinal County leaders has shaken my faith in our current leadership. It is time for a change. Pinal County needs new leadership; honest, independent, accountable leadership.”
“I’m very proud of our work in support of the Border Patrol – they do a great job, but they have been overwhelmed,” Babeau said in a written media release. “Our service members continue today with an armed presence at our Arizona-Mexican border. The Border Patrol is now able to maintain a more secure border with more agents hired and with new fencing and technology.”
Submitted photo
