Maricopa’s first top cop now wants to be the county’s top cop.

Cobblestone resident Patrick Melvin says he will run as a Democrat in 2024 for Pinal County Sheriff, currently held by Republican Mark Lamb.

Lam is widely speculated to be running for Kirsten Cinema’s U.S. Senate seat next year, but he has yet to make a formal announcement. Reuben Gallego, a Democrat in the US House of Representatives, has announced his candidacy for the Cinema seat.

Melvin, 58, ran unsuccessfully last year for Constable in Western Pinal Judiciary District 4, serving Maricopa.

Melvin was unanimously appointed Maricopa’s first police chief on September 5, 2006, and was later promoted to Chief of Public Safety, overseeing both the police and fire departments. He came to Maricopa after his 21 years with the Phoenix Police Department. Most recently, he served as commander of the Department of Transportation.

He retired from Maricopa in 2011 and became Chief of Police for the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community Police. Three years later he ran unsuccessfully for the Maricopa City Council. He resigned from the Salt River division in early 2016 after taking paid administrative leave as he pursued other work in the larger division.

In September 2016, Melvin was hired as chief of PD in Port Arthur, Texas, but was forced to resign after two years.near Beaumont (Texas) Enterprise A May 18, 2018 report said police voted no confidence in Mr Melvin and the acting mayor called for his resignation.

Port Arthur Police Association president Greg Mouton said in a 41-page letter to deputy mayor Harvey Robinson that officers had “lost all trust, trust and confidence” in Melvin. enterprise report.

“It is clear that Chief Melvin is looking for other employment opportunities,” wrote Mouton. “With respect, why not support his departure for the betterment of all that have been affected under his leadership?”

Robinson then demanded Melvin’s resignation. enterprise.

Melvin returned to Arizona and on September 23, 2019, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office hired him as the Forensic Information Manager and Release Operations Manager.

Along the way, Melvin became a finalist for Police Chiefs in Memphis, St. Louis, Seattle, and more.

Related story: Melvin asked to resign