Primary countdown: Paul Babeu, 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: Paul Babeu, Republican candidate for Pinal County Sheriff. He is running against Derek Arnson, 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: Paul R. Babeu
Age: 43
Occupation: Sheriff
Residence: San Tan Valley
Family: Single
Education: Associate’s in law enforcement technology; bachelor’s in history/political science (minor); and master’s in public administration.
Hobbies: Jogging early in the morning, working out at the gym, spending time with my parents and nearby family and attending numerous civic and charity events/meetings to assist and volunteer my experience.
Favorite quote: “Leaders make things possible … exceptional leaders make them inevitable." — Newt Gingrich
Heart’s desire: To add value in our world. I know myself well enough to know that I can’t be happy unless I’m involved in the solution. Understanding concerns, challenges and problems and setting out to improve the situation. As a child victim of sexual abuse, it is in my heart to protect youth, women and any of our more vulnerable citizens, who are often targeted for victimization.
Political experience: Currently Sheriff; city council member and county commissioner in Massachusetts. Elected precinct committee member in Pinal County.

Why are you running?

To continue to reduce emergency response times, maintain high visibility patrols in neighborhoods. Deputies arrive at emergencies in 1/2 the time due to assigned beats (small geographic assignments), new computers in every patrol car and improved staff training. We have fewer staff than other agencies, yet our deputies are more efficient and aggressive to best protect our Pinal families.

Four years ago, our deputies did not receive first aid and CPR training. Now every deputy is trained and many patrol vehicles are equipped with defibrillators. Deputies receive annual training in weapons qualification, investigation and interview techniques, improved report writing, active shooter scenario training, DUI, legal updates and high-risk felony stops.

What is your biggest election challenge?

To be judged on my performance and results as sheriff. No one can disagree the sheriff's office is far better managed, and public safety has been greatly improved. The continuous personal attacks against me have nothing to do with my job or my performance as your sheriff.

I will work with an entirely new board of supervisors to reshape the direction of Pinal County. To prioritize public safety, reduce taxes and reduce the cost of impact fees that harm business, job growth. I’m hopeful Pinal County will shed many of the political leaders of the past and there shall be a brighter promise and refocus on our limitless future.

Why should Maricopans vote for you?

Performance, results and leadership. This is how we are all measured. Our short- and long-term goals for faster emergency response times, more neighborhood patrol, increased training for deputies and all staff, enforcing all immigration laws, fighting drug cartels and human smuggling, computers in every patrol car for faster response, tracking all sex offenders with neighbor notifications, using seized criminal money to purchase equipment, open a sub-station, support victims and youth programming have been accomplished.

We are the first Arizona jail to receive national accreditation. We boast hundreds of volunteer Posse, COPs, SAR volunteers, victims’ services and youth Explorers.

Who are you voting for president?

W. Mitt Romney

How would you deal with SB 1070?

The unsecured southern border is one of the most serious public-safety issues and national-security threats to America. I don’t feel that SB1070 was ever going to be the silver bullet to solve the problem. The Legislature and Gov. Brewer passed and signed SB 1070 since the federal government is not doing its job. That answer is to fully implement the McCain/Kyl 10 Point Border Security Plan.

The only way to solve the problem is to replicate what was done several years back with Task Force Yuma: National Guard deployed, double-barrier fence completed and end of catch and released.

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

Leadership challenges. It is important that well trained and proven leaders are in charge. Lessons I have learned as an Army Officer and other life experiences have helped me plan, implement and hold accountable all staff for performance and results. I have recruited many talented leaders and promoted from the ranks, yet in the end, I’m the leader. Tough decisions, direction, performance and results rest on my shoulders.

I’m also concerned with population growth in unincorporated Pinal County, which has pressed the limits of our operational ability. We need additional deputies, detectives and support staff to maintain our advances in improved service. Currently, we have less than one deputy per thousand unincorporated residents. This is far less than the 2.2 average in the Southwest. Apache Junction has 66 municipal police officers for 38,000 residents, yet unincorporated San Tan Valley has 46 deputies (including two detectives) for 83,000 residents. We will not be able to keep up with basic calls for service as our population continues to grow without additional staff. This glaring staffing deficiency demands my full leadership attention and the support of the new board of supervisors.

We also provide SWAT, DUI Task Force, Narcotics Task Force support to Maricopa PD and Maricopa families.