Who has applied to be Maricopa County's next sheriff, replacing Paul Penzone?
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is considering applications from people who want to replace former Sheriff Paul Penzone, who stepped down a year early on January 12.
Chief Deputy Sheriff Russell Skinner will continue to serve in his current capacity, but he will have the powers of the sheriff until an appointment is made, according to the supervisors.
Because Penzone was a Democrat, the supervisors must appoint a Democrat to replace him.
The appointed candidate will serve until the person elected sheriff in November is sworn in, according to county spokesperson Fields Moseley.
So far, three Republicans — Frank Crawford, Jerry Sheridan and Joel Ellis — and no Democrats have filed statements of interest to run for Maricopa County sheriff, according to the county Elections Department.
State law says the sheriff must live within the county they serve and prohibits the sheriff from practicing law.
Applicants for the appointment needed to submit a cover letter and resume to the clerk of the Board of Supervisors by Jan. 19 at 5 p.m.
Applicants are subject to a background check, and the documents they submitted became public records.
Eight candidates have applied. The Board of Supervisors released applicants' resumes and letters of intent to The Arizona Republic.
Three of the applicants have long histories of Republican party affiliation but recently changed their voter registration to be eligible for the appointment, according to the Maricopa County Recorder's Office.
Skinner initially registered as a Republican in May 1987 but changed to a Democrat on Oct. 3, 2023, one day after Penzone announced he would step down.
Kenneth M. Booker registered as a Republican in October 2000 but changed his registration to Democrat in November.
Jeffrey S. Kirkham registered as a Republican in March 1988 but changed to Democrat this month.
Here are some highlights from each candidate’s application materials.
Applicants for Maricopa County Sheriff: See their cover letters and resumes
Kenneth M. Booker, retired in 2023 as a deputy chief in Sheriff's Office
Booker retired from the Sheriff’s Office in 2023 as a deputy chief after a 32-year career in law enforcement.
“I led as an Executive Staff member as a Deputy Chief for more than 4 years, overseeing the Bureau of Internal Oversight, Court Implementation Division, and Training Divisions, respectively," Booker stated.
Booker said he would bring both “big city” and “small community intimacy” experience to the job.
Booker served as interim chief of police of Youngtown, Arizona, as the town transitioned to the Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services.
Booker said he “directly supervised" the Sheriff’s Constitutional Policing Plan, which was Penzone’s response to an ongoing court order brought on by civil rights violations. Penzone lamented the burdens of federal oversight, but Booker touted the success the department made under his oversight.
Booker listed work experience as an adjunct professor at Grand Canyon University and as a court security division commander for the state's judicial branch.
Booker has bachelor's and master's degrees from Grand Canyon University.
Booker has a record of military service as a sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Grant A. Harrison, works in Phoenix's homelessness office
He currently works for Phoenix as a project management assistant in the Office of Homeless Solutions.
Harrison said he had no background in law enforcement.
"My ability to navigate complex situations, collaborate with diverse groups, and think critically in high-pressure environments has been honed through years of public service," Harrison stated. "I understand the importance of maintaining public trust and ensuring the safety and well-being of the community, and I am eager to bring my unique skill set to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office."
Harrison listed previous work experience, including other roles in Phoenix city government and working as a lead page for the Arizona Legislature.
Harrison has bachelor's and master's degrees from Arizona State University.
Harrison has been registered as a Democrat in Maricopa County since he initially registered in July 2015.
Jeffrey S. Kirkham, nearly 4 decades in law enforcement
Kirkham has 38 years of law enforcement experience.
He worked as an Apache Junction police commander from 2014 to 2023.
He served as a compliance specialist on officer misconduct for Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board from 2012 to 2014.
Kirkham served as the Nogales Police Department chief from 2010 to 2012.
He has worked for the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Florence police and Mesa police.
“My expertise in developing and implementing team efforts in community policing and minority outreach, especially within the Hispanic community, crime prevention, policy creation, and internal investigations has allowed me to make significant contributions to the agencies I’ve served," Kirkham stated.
Kirkham said he had conducted investigations into peace officer misconduct and had worked with law enforcement agencies at the local, state and federal levels.
“I am particularly drawn to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office due to its commitment to excellence, desire to improve community engagement, and ensuring the safety of residents, while working closely to comply with Federal agency requirements," he wrote.
Kirkham has a bachelor's from Arizona State University and a master's from University of Phoenix.
Scott Meyer, experience as detention officer with Sheriff's Office
Meyer has been a sergeant in the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office since 2022.
“Maricopa County welcomed me as a resident in 2016 and I have wanted to repay the kindness this county and Office have shown me," Meyer stated.
Meyer is a member of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard.
Meyer listed previous experience as a private security officer and a detention officer with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
“I have the determination, the heart, and the will to lead this great organization. I have ‘boots on the ground’ experience as an officer and sergeant with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office," Meyer wrote.
Meyer's voter registration could not be verified without more personal identifying information.
Brandon C. Otis, working as corrections officer
Otis is currently a corrections officer for the Arizona Department of Corrections.
He listed six years of experience as a corrections officer.
"I am a strong advocate for fostering positive relationships between staff and inmates," Otis stated. "I believe in treating individuals with respect and dignity, while also promoting rehabilitation and personal growth."
Otis said he had demonstrated a commitment to maintaining safety and security in correctional facilities.
In addition to corrections, Otis listed work experience in several customer service roles.
Otis changed his registration to Democrat in October 2018 after being registered as a Republican.
Dan Saban, former Buckeye police chief
Saban is a senior advisor with Anderson Security Agency.
He previously owned his own consulting agency and worked as a private investigator.
Saban served as chief of police for Buckeye and worked for the Mesa Police Department from 1979 to 2004 as an officer, sergeant, lieutenant and commander.
He listed several commendations and awards for his police work.
"What sets me apart from other law enforcement executives is my senior-level experience in both the public and private sectors," Saban stated. "This is an advantage for the next Sheriff because I understand the operational needs of public safety and the need to manage resources efficiently to return taxpayer value."
Saban has a bachelor's degree from Arizona State University and a master's degree from Northern Arizona University.
Saban registered as a Democrat on Jan. 19. He previously was registered with no party preference.
Russell Skinner, current chief deputy of Sheriff's Office
Skinner is currently the chief deputy sheriff of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. He has the powers of the sheriff until an appointment is made. He has been chief deputy since 2018.
He told the Board of Supervisors in his letter of interest that he possesses the institutional knowledge necessary to run the Sheriff's Office.
Skinner said he has lived in Maricopa County for more than 50 years and served at the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office for more than 33 years.
He has served in a variety of roles in the Sheriff's Office, including working on the office's efforts to comply with federal court orders.
When the sheriff was absent, Skinner said, he would be put in charge of the department.
"My experience extends to addressing recent challenges such as the community's trust in law enforcement, the Fentanyl crisis, and staffing shortages," Skinner wrote.
If chosen, Skinner said, he would "commit to maintaining operational continuity" at the Sheriff's Office and in the jails.
Skinner has an associate's degree from Phoenix College.
Patrick G. Valenzuela, mix of law enforcement and military experience
Valenzuela has 27 years of law enforcement experience.
He has been a Glendale police lieutenant since 2020.
“I have gained an in-depth understanding of the unique challenges that law enforcement agencies face, particularly in a diverse and dynamic county like Maricopa," Valenzuela wrote.
Valenzuela has experience as a shift commander for police patrol, a SWAT team member, a field training officer and a school resource officer.
“Throughout my career, I have consistently prioritized transparency, accountability, and community engagement, recognizing the crucial role that trust and collaboration play in effective law enforcement," Valenzuela stated.
He listed three military deployments and later provided religious services to Air Force personnel at Luke and Davis-Monthan Air Force bases.
He was a reserve member of the U.S. Air Force.
He has a bachelor's degree from Kaplan University and a master's degree from Grand Canyon University.
Valenzuela is a registered Democrat and has not recently changed his party affiliation.
Have a news tip on the sheriff’s appointment process, the sheriff's election, or Maricopa County jails? Reach the reporter at jjenkins@arizonarepublic.com or 812-243-5582. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @JimmyJenkins.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Who has applied to be Maricopa County's next sheriff?
