Joe Arpaio
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Joe Arpaio | Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. standing in the blue suit behind Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce | Born | Joseph M. Arpaio
June 14, 1932 (1932-06-14) (age 78)
Springfield, Massachusetts | Occupation | Sheriff | Spouse | Ava Arpaio |
Joseph M. "Joe" Arpaio (born June 14, 1932) is the elected Sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, USA. Arpaio is responsible for law enforcement in Maricopa County, as well as running the county jail, courtroom security, prisoner transport, service of warrants, and service of process. Arpaio promotes himself as "America's Toughest Sheriff."[1][2] He has become controversial for aggressive publicity-seeking,[3] retaliation against political enemies,[4] abuse of power,[5] civil rights violations,[6] and financial mismanagement.[7] He is also noted for his outspoken stance against illegal immigration.[8][9] He has become a flashpoint for controversy surrounding Arizona's SB1070 anti-illegal-immigrant act.[10] He is currently the subject of FBI,[11] United States Department of Justice,[12] and Federal Grand Jury[13] investigations for civil rights violations and abuse of power, and is the defendant in a federal class-action suit for racial profiling.[14] Arpaio was once widely popular among voters in Arizona,[15] however his popularity has waned over the last three years.[16] Contents[hide] * 1 History and law enforcement background * 2 Actions as Maricopa County Sheriff * 2.1 Television * 2.2 Jails * 2.3 Tent City * 2.4 Volunteer chain gangs * 2.5 Pink underwear * 2.6 Selective Service registration and organ donors * 2.7 Sheriff's Posse * 2.8 Controversies * 2.8.1 Department of Justice Civil Rights Lawsuit * 2.8.2 Abuse of Power