John,

The tragic death of George Floyd and ensuing events, inspired to promote law enforcement reform, have been powerful reminders of our obligation to be more transparent and always accountable.

I want to share with you some of the steps I have taken to address these issues here in Maricopa County.

On Friday, I joined Good Morning Arizona to discuss the need for systemic change and MCSO’s commitment to equity for all we serve. Watch the full interview below to learn more about how we are improving our work:

On Sunday, I joined Impact Church Pastor Travis Hearn, Phoenix Suns Coach Monty Williams, and former Arizona Cardinals player Andre Wadsworth for a conversation on racial justice and our community.

I was honored to share my personal and professional commitment to equality, discuss how faith compels us to speak up against injustice, and hear from Monty and Andre about their experiences as black men. You can watch the full conversation here:

And finally, I am proud to report that our very own MCSO Community Outreach Team received the 2020 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award for its work to bridge the gap between the youth and the Sheriff’s Office. As law enforcement officers tasked with maintaining the safety of our community, our most important tool is the trust of those we serve.

Learn more about the award-winning program, “the art of fighting in the ring and not in our community” here:

As your Sheriff, I will do what it takes to ensure each and every resident of Maricopa County can live in dignity. I know our work is not done — but my promise to you is to continue doing this difficult work until justice has been met.

As always, I am honored to serve you.

— Sheriff Paul Penzone