PHOENIX — Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone is preparing to resign from his position and has submitted his resignation.

In October 2023, Sheriff Penzone announced that he would retire in January and would not seek a third term as sheriff.

MCSO confirmed in December that Sheriff Penzone “has discussed his resignation with the Board of Supervisors and plans to submit his resignation at the appropriate time.”

The Supervisory Board formally accepted the resignation on Wednesday, with the term expiration date set for January 12, 2024.

Penzone was first elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020.

After Penzone took over in 2017, one of the first big changes he made was: “Tent City” closed It was founded in 1993 by former Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

In November 2022, a federal judge found Mr. Penzone in civil contempt of court in the same racial profiling case in which his predecessor, Mr. Arpaio, was found in contempt six years ago.

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is currently considering the appointment of the next Maricopa County Sheriff and applications are currently being accepted. The person selected to fill the vacancy will serve until the November election, when a new sheriff will be elected.

Officials announced Wednesday that Chief Deputy Sheriff Russ Skinner will serve in the role until appointed by the board.