Since 1993 Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has been perfecting the “Sheriff Joe Show.” Arpaio has become “the man” when it comes to braggadocios law enforcement tough talk.
The show started out small, like a locally produced Saturday morning kid’s show. But Arpaio’s in-house media and public relations staff were constantly on the alert for any story that could be marketed to cultivate Arpaio’s celebrity status.
Soon the retired federal drug agent, who was best known in law enforcement circles as “Nickel Bag Joe” for his penchant for small-time drug busts, morphed into “America’s Toughest Sheriff.”
Even though Arpaio was still fixated on petty busts, his made-for-TV roundups were great footage on the six o’clock news and talk shows.
While many thought Arpaio was amusing and entertaining, others saw what was happening as a possible abuse of power. For months it has been reported the Federal Bureau of Investigation and a federal grand jury have been looking into the activities of Arpaio and his inner circle.
Could the “Sheriff Joe Show” be forced into re-runs if the feds keep the star of the show from making his curtain call?
Don’t worry. There’s another tough-talking sheriff who’s already warming up and quickly moving into position to fill Joe’s prime-time slot. And he isn’t even waiting for the show to be cancelled.
Welcome to the “Sheriff Paul Show.”
Former Chandler police patrolman Paul Babeu, who became Pinal County Sheriff just 17 months ago, is fast becoming the new favorite Arizona sheriff on local and national media outlets.
Arpaio’s growling, tired old mug and rumpled suit are quickly being replaced by the exquisitely uniformed and charismatic Babeu, who has a quick wit and charming smile. Babeu charms crowds like a snake oil salesman who’s studied his audience and knows exactly what words to say.
Babeu is the younger, kinder and gentler version of the old tough-talking sheriff. What Babeu, the president of the Arizona Sheriff’s Association, has done on his own in just over a year took Arpaio and his rock star-like entourage well over a decade to create and put into play.
To get elected, Sheriff Paul created his own hot-button campaign issue. Babeu promised to dump photo radar and he did. After his election he jumped on Sheriff Joe’s signature issue, immigration enforcement. Then he took the issue one humongous giant step beyond what Arpaio had accomplished or maybe even imagined. He joined forces with Sen. John McCain. Babeu and McCain walked side-by-side along the U.S.-Mexico border in one of McCain’s re-election commercials, talking about border crime and building the “dang fence.” Babeu was catapulted into place to become the go-to border crime and immigration expert for news and talk shows and powerful politicians. And Pinal County isn’t even on the border.
Now instead of constantly seeing Arpaio all over the TV, it’s Babeu who has taken center stage. And the politically ambitious Babeu — a Massachusetts transplant who only got to Arizona in 2003 — doesn’t seem to have any qualms about upstaging Arpaio, whom he calls a “very good friend,” as he becomes the new face of Arizona sheriffs.
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Retired Mesa master police officer Bill Richardson lives in the East Valley and can be reached at bill.richardson@cox.net
kissmydonkey posted at 7:47 pm on Sun, May 30, 2010.
Holy cow Billy, time to update the photo, when was that taken? You old grey fox!!
IceCat posted at 6:19 pm on Fri, May 28, 2010.
[sad] The voters of Pinal County are going to wish they never elected this clown to office.
samkat posted at 6:01 pm on Fri, May 28, 2010.
Forked: Do you have a have any kind words for anybody? I have never seen a single post from you that was not negative. Lighten up. Even us pro SB 1070 supporters have a sense of humor. :-)
Marcus Gallio posted at 11:52 am on Fri, May 28, 2010.
Sheriff Paul defeated nice guy Chris Vasquez. Chris just sat back and collected his paycheck. Kind of like his predecessor, Roger Vanderhoof-in-mouth. Since Babeau, we in Pinal County have seen a change in attitude of the PCSO. They are much more professional and motivated. One person CAN make a difference. Another Example: Will County, Illinois. Their States Attorney James Glascow just broke the case of Riley Fox, age 3. The previous S.A. and the county police department and State Police completely botched the case. Many felt it would never be solved. But Glascow DID make a difference. The prior S.A. was a RINO. He was a clouted Democrat named Tomczak who's father went to Prison for protecting Chicago Dems. You know Bill, the entrentched do nothing incompetents who claim they are sooooo professional and take pot shots are the guys who try to make a difference. So Bill, there's the good old boy network of cops and S.A.'s which you represent, and there's the new hard chargers which Sheriff Paul represents. Arizona is now "No Country for Old Corrupt Men."
forkedlift1 posted at 11:47 am on Fri, May 28, 2010.
Thanks for the excellent analysis. I think even Arpaio's blinded supporters are finally seeing the light. Also the insight into Babeau and where he's likely headed --using Arpaio's formula of mixing law enforcement, politics and show biz. When that happens, as we well know, professional law enforcement suffers.
First time I heard Babeu's name is when he actively coorperated with Arpaio, using his Pinal County deputies, in a SE valley "sweep" not all that long ago....and now we're seeing him on these McCain campaign commercials.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Babeau the only county sheriff, besides Arpaio of course,who spoke out in favor of SB 1070? I think it was the Pima county sheriff who minced no words expressing his outrage over that dictum from Arizona's legislators and the governor, and the Yuma county sheriff also expressed his opposition to it, while the rest of the county sheriffs were publicly mum.
What's the latest word on the investigation into the Pinal County deputy who allegedly was shot (grazed) by a Mexican drug runner in the desert boondocks?
Accuracy posted at 9:13 am on Fri, May 28, 2010.
Tough-talking Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu also hired Dan Lovelace.
Lovelace a former Chandler police officer fired in the shooting of an Ahwatukee Foothills mother in Chandler.
Lovelace was acquitted in 2004 of second-degree murder in the shooting of Dawn Rae Nelson, 35, as her toddler sat in the back of her car at a Chandler Walgreen's drive-through pharmacy. He did not deserve to get his job back on the Chandler police force, the city's Merit Board decided (in a 5-0 vote) after two wrongful death lawsuits that ended in almost $5 million in settlements in Chandler.