Primary countdown: Derek Arnson, Pinal County Sheriff

The primary election is Aug. 28 and early balloting is underway. Between now and Aug. 20, InMaricopa.com will publish two to three Q & As at a time done with candidates in primary races.

Today: Derek Arnson, Republican candidate for Pinal County Sheriff. He is running against incumbent Paul Babeu, Tom Bearup and Jack McClaren. To see these candidates, and the two Democratic candidates, in a July 21 candidates’ forum click here and here.

Name: Derek Arnson
Age: 47
Occupation: Former chief of police. Current student at the U.S. Naval Post Graduate School studying homeland security.
Residence: San Tan Valley
Family: Married 24 years to LaNeece Arnson; son and daughter
Education: 1991 bachelor’s in criminal justice with minor in Spanish; finishing master’s in education in December.
Hobbies: Hunting, flying, fishing in Alaska with my son, weight lifting, watching my daughter play volleyball at Virginia Tech.
Favorite quote: “Where there is honesty, other virtues will follow.” — Gordon B. Hinckley
Heart’s desire: To serve others with all my heart might mind and strength.
Political experience:

Why are you running?

I bring 20 years of executive law enforcement experiences and challenges to the office of sheriff. I will promote internal employees to positions of responsibility, bring back fiscal responsibility, restore fairness and promptness related to employee discipline and restore honor and integrity to the office, just to name a few.

What is your biggest election challenge?

Fundraising/name recognition.

Why should Maricopans vote for you?

As a former gang sergeant who responded to the violent school fights in Maricopa in 2007, I fully understand what is needed in each community as it relates to public safety. I have served in nearly every community within Pinal County during my 20-year career. Now, more than ever, the office of sheriff needs professionalism and competency. 

I am a sheriff who will work at the sheriff’s office and spend my time in Pinal County not in Washington, D.C. and other areas of the country seeking votes and support for a Congressional race. Lastly, I will never allow the acts of my personal life to jeopardize the office of sheriff.

Who are you voting for president?

Mitt Romney. Gov. Romney is rich in experience within a vast array of disciplines. I feel he will lead my country with honor and will utilize his many years as a civic, governmental and business leader in restoring my country back to a Republic versus the current socialistic pathways under the Obama Administration. I am in favor of less government and less regulations.

How would you deal with SB 1070?

I will enforce it.

What is the biggest challenge facing the sheriff’s office? And, what would you do about it?

Retaining deputies and staff is a big challenge. The Phoenix Police Department will be opening its hiring doors in less than a year. In doing so, PPD and others will take away the trained, quality deputies and staff from Pinal County. I am a proponent of higher pay and benefits for our deputies. Currently, PPD will pay in excess of $7K-$10K more than what a current deputy can receive in salary. When it comes to family and expenses, our deputies are forced to consider the economic conditions with which they exist.

Without a quality team and staff of public servants deployed to the front lines, the greatest plans will never prove sufficient or successful. Thousands of dollars of the costs associated to this plan of higher pay and benefits will begin with the highly paid administrative positions and the upper tier of the organization. I will do more with less especially when it comes to the upper tier of sheriff’s office.