Babeu can make the office better
October 7, 2008
by Patrick L. Cote
Paul Babeu for Sheriff
Honest…Independent…Accountable
Casa Grande, AZ – I have followed with interest regarding the race
for sheriff for Pinal County. On one side we have the incumbent, Chris Vasquez,
and on the other side a newcomer to Pinal politics, Paul Babeu. I was in law enforcement
for 30 years. I was a police chief in Somersworth, N.H., for seven years, Florence
for two years and Fort Lupton, Colo., for more than two years. I currently teach
for the University of Phoenix in the undergraduate and graduate programs in criminal
justice administration. In addition, I am a licensed private investigator for the
past two years. I wanted to give you my background to let you know that I am qualified
to render my opinion regarding these candidates.
Last year, Chris Vasquez beat out Chief Robert Ingulli for sheriff to finish the
term vacated by Roger Vanderpool. I recall during the campaign Chief Ingulli presented
an idea about citizen patrols in the Gold Canyon area. It must have been a good
idea, because the sheriff implemented it. Now, we are reading about computers in
the cruisers. The sheriff has made a point that he is upgrading the equipment for
his deputies. Great! I am a proponent to ensure law enforcement has the latest technology
so they can do their job better. I wonder when these funds were sought to purchase
these computers.
I have read about the comparisons between Chris Vasquez and Paul Babeu. In addition,
I have read about the experience comparison. In several articles, I read about Paul
being a five-year patrolman. You may not realize it, but the sheriff does not have
to be certified. In this case, Paul does have experience and is a certified law
enforcement officer. In the comparison, there is no mention of Paul's leadership
position in the Arizona Army National Guard. He is a major with tremendous responsibility.
He would not have been put into this position if he was not a capable leader. I
do not buy the argument that he has no leadership capability. His endorsements from
law enforcement professional organizations are impressive. They all cannot be wrong.
Now, let us take a look at Chris Vasquez's leadership. He would want you to believe
he is running a great organization. Now, I am not talking about the rank and file
detention employees and deputies who work hard every day to protect and service
their community. I am talking about the lack of leadership and accountability in
his organization. If you talk to these employees privately, they will tell you there
are many internal problems in this organization.
Here is one case in point. This case is concluded, so I can discuss it briefly.
An individual was arrested for aggravated assault in the Oracle area. This person
was later convicted in Superior Court. This person's ex-wife received a call from
a corporal regarding a burglary while they were conducting a search warrant. He
said the coin collection and watch collection were missing. She wanted to make a
complaint of a burglary, but there was no burglary report taken. She made a citizen's
complaint about the way the investigation was conducted and she received e-mails
from the lieutenant stating her complaint was unfounded. There was no formal investigation
conducted, just e-mails back and forth. How can a lieutenant conduct the internal
investigation when he participated in the original arrest? There is a conflict of
interest.
If you want business as usual with no accountability and continuance of the "good-ol'-boy"
system, then you can vote for the incumbent. It will be the same politics as usual.
I think I am a good judge of character. I sincerely believe that Paul Babeu has
the leadership, experience and capability to lead the Pinal County Sheriff's Office
and bring the organization to a higher, respectable level. We need a leader who
will hold his personnel to a higher standard and be accountable for their actions.
Let us make the Pinal County Sheriff's Office a better organization and respected
by everyone by electing Paul Babeu sheriff.
|
|
|