Paul Penzone: Big decisions, including the fate of pink underwear

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January 4, 2017, truly marked the end of any era in Maricopa County, when Sheriff Paul Penzone was sworn in as Joe Arpaio’s successor.

Penzone has his work cut out for him. Arpaio’s larger-than-life tenure dominated the county for 24 years. And at least for now, his legacy lives on in the form of Tent City, pink underwear and other initiatives.

Big decisions are on the horizon for the newly elected Democratic sheriff. He empaneled a citizen commission to help determine the fate of Tent City, and has yet to decide whether he’ll keep his inmates clad in Arpaio’s famous pink underwear. Both are brands that he has no particular attachment to, and Penzone said his decisions will be based solely on whether they’re sound policy.

Whatever he decides, big changes are still in store for the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. Penzone said he isn’t interested in pursuing policies for the sake of publicity. And he’s adamant that the days of Maricopa County deputies taking a lead role in enforcing laws against illegal immigration are over.

Read the full Q&A story at AZ Capitol Times

Corrie O'Connor