Mr. Penzone will join Blue Cross Blue Shield after serving as Maricopa County Sheriff for seven years.
PHOENIX — Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone will soon relinquish his badge and take a job outside of law enforcement.
pen zone told KTAR News He said he plans to take a job with Blue Cross Blue Shield and work in community relations.
Penzone announced in October that he would step down from his position in early 2024 to “pursue other opportunities.”
“The job itself is an honor, and I'm very grateful for this opportunity,” Penzone said.
RELATED: Sheriff Paul Penzone won't seek third term
Penzone, a Democrat, defeated Republican Joe Arpaio by a wide margin in the 2016 election for sheriff and was re-elected in 2020.
Upon taking office, Penzone promised to reverse Arpaio's culture of headline-grabbing tactics and restore trust between the MCSO and the community.
Mr. Penzone inherited the consequences that arose after MCSO was found to have racially profiled Latinos during immigration patrols in Arpaio in 2013. The ruling led to two court reviews and stripped the agency of some of its autonomy over internal affairs investigations.
RELATED: Sheriff Paul Penzone says he inherited $300 million legal burden from Joe Arpaio. Taxpayers must foot the bill.
Editor's note: The video above is from a previous broadcast.
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