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Arizona Sheriff Won't Cooperate With DOJ


Posted: Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Updated: July 8th, 2009 12:32 PM EDT

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Story by kpho.com

PHOENIX --

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office will not cooperate with the U.S. Department of Justice in an ongoing investigation into whether the office uses racial profiling, Sheriff Joe Arpaio announced in a news conference Tuesday.

Arpaio said he's halting all interviews between his staff and DOJ investigators.

The sheriff claims the DOJ is investigating his office for political reasons, not because of racial profiling; according to Arpaio, the Democrats in Washington don't agree with section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows local law enforcement agencies to assist with illegal immigration enforcement efforts.

"It only took them 60 days to come after me," Arpaio said. "Sixty days. It usually takes about two years to open up a letter in the Justice Department."

The DOJ informed the sheriff's office in March that it was investigating. Since then, Arpaio said the agency has yet to cite any specific examples of racial profiling.

"The new attorney general has said that his top priority is to go after racial profiling," he said. "Don't pick on me to show you're doing something. If you're going to do it, pick on someone that's guilty -- there's a big difference here."

Arpaio said he'll fight the investigation, even if it means suing the federal government.

Copyright 2009 by KPHO.com. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Comments

Posted by Brittanicus in Indianapolis, IN
(07/08/09 - 12:43 PM)
We must have immigration enforcement
In the Senate--NOW--the legislators are voting on E-Verify? Call your Senator and--DEMAND--E-Verify NOW--as a permanent tool! 202-224-3121

This is the right time to release a bombardment of general public voices on any Senator or Congressman around the country. Do not relieve the harsh pressure on either party to--MANDATE PERMANENTLY E-VERIFY? Our voices, faxes, emails and phone calls are burning up the wavelengths, demanding E-Verify? Not on a voluntary basis--BUT FOREVER. Not just for new employees, but for everyone who gets a paycheck, old and new? This symbolizes to me that the--AMERICAN WORKER--is being recognized? That our public servants in Washington have been hesitant to cut funding, or even reduce the power of E-Verification system that identifies and removes illegal labor from the workplace. This law must be enforced with heavy handed sentences of all employers who ignore the easy computer check?
All inconsistencies can be rectified at the Social Security office, not a place were illegal immigrant labor will dare to venture?

Removing illegal aliens from the country by orderly ATTRITION-would save our nation plenty--plus give jobs back--rid us of more criminals--stop chain migration and the immediate beginning of OVERPOPULATION.

Perhaps after all the ACLU, US Chamber of Commerce, Council of Foreign Relations, special interest lobby are not going to win this time? Thank heavens we have a few relentless patriotic AMERICANS, such Senator Sessions who have been determined to undermine the open border, free trader zealots, who want uncompromising illegal cheap labor? In the incumbent elections we should make an example of all politicians, who defy the publics demands. Letting up now will just give them enough leeway, to use E-Verify in the future as bargain chip, in the ongoing discussion for AMNESTY. We have the immense power and we must use it? For more details go to NUMBERSUSA, CAPSWEB & AMERICAN PATROL. Not liberal newspaper lies, but facts. YOU DECIDE IF YOU WANT AN OVERPOPULATED FUTURE?



Posted by Chief in Alabama
(07/08/09 - 01:51 PM)
You go Sheriff
You go Sheriff! It is good to see a Sheriff with a set. Not many Sheriffs or Chiefs have them these days. They (USDOJ) may not win but I can tell you from personal experience that they will run you in the ground and destroy you politically. Without a doubt, the Federal government is the very reason this country is in the shape it is today. They had rather go after hard working dedicated law enforcement officers that the thousands of bad guys in the USA. After all, we're easy targets!



Posted by Chief in Alabama
(07/08/09 - 03:03 PM)
NO BAG LIMIT!
Sheriff Arpio, I can help you out with this.

Everyone in the USA knows that 97% of all the drugs coming into this country come from Mexico and are normally smuggled across the border by Mexican nationals. Please stop all your ������racial profiling������ and pro-active enforcement efforts down there and concentrate solely on white folks. You can get as many of them as you want to. NO BAG LIMIT!

You will get a white every now and then but while you are waiting on white folks to cross the border with their drugs, there will only be about two or three thousand Hispanics (mostly illegal aliens) bringing loads of drugs and weapons into our country.

It will be worth your time to catch some white folks and it will probably keep the DOJ off your back.

Remember; ignore the tons of drugs that are coming into this country and forget about all the destruction they cause and families they destroy. Screw the kids! We already have to many children in the USA anyway.

Be politically correct like everyone else is.

PS: Just a little sarcasm Sheriff; Keep kicking butts! We appreciate you for it.



Posted by Not above the law in Woodbridge, Virginia
(07/08/09 - 03:53 PM)
Constitution Officer's
Our constitution is the bases for all constitutional officers. The public must not feel threaten by bais based law enforcement on a individual in a strateghic and selective manner of enforcement of the law. Equal protection is a duty of all constitutional officers which are sheriff"s and state constitutioanal officers who and also knwn as State Troopers. If a federal investigation is being interfered with, in itself is a felony interference of and investigation punishable by 25,000.00 fine and up to 10 years in ferderal prison. The best thing to do here is to cooperate and save your career. Tactical units are very well trained in arresting officals who don't apply good judgement and carry badges.... I would follow orders to show that there is nothing to hide or admit there is. All law enforcement is mandated to have a citizen compliant procedure and provide forms. Just a thought.....



Posted by woods in Michigan
(07/08/09 - 04:07 PM)
Racial profiling
I always thought racial profiling was pulling someone over in a neighborhood because of the color of their skin not matching most of the residents-which I agree is wrong. However if a dark complexion person is wading a river and or jumping a fence into the US and not going through customs to me that is what we normally call a clue! How can't there be some race information involved? If you are finding illegal aliens in Arizona it is a pretty good bet a majority, most if not all, of them are going to be Hispanic. Although I agree with some of the statement that the Sheriff not get in heat over no cooperation-I admire his guts, always have, and wish him well. He does more and says more that is correct, although not "Politically" than any LE I know. Hang tough Joe, I know you will!



Posted by CJ in Mont
(07/08/09 - 04:25 PM)
Justice???
Technically there is no such thing as a "Dept Of Justice " in this country any more. Its an organization that is political in nature, its not about 'Justice" its about burecrats using the organization for their personel vendettas Mr Arpaio is case in point. Its not "Just" for taxpayers to foot the bill for welfare, emergency room visits, and the illegal inmate prison population-the things Arpaio fight aginst by dealing with illegals. A "dept of justice would support Arpaio.



Posted by Bern
(07/08/09 - 05:54 PM)
I believe it is unfair and extremely bias to refer to the Maricopa Sheriff Office as being uncooperative. It is their rights not to cooperate, under the Miranda .
I have seen in the news media, were Sheriff Joe Arpaio has openly expressed this same view and in relation to the Lie Detector his opinion was it makes the investigators lazy



Posted by old fto
(07/08/09 - 06:17 PM)
Big question....how many has he caught.....

You go Joe...keep it up.



Posted by APS184 in NH
(07/08/09 - 06:34 PM)
Great!
Is this guy hiring? What a great enviroment to work in!!! Great Job Sheriff!



Posted by Ryan in Chicago, IL
(07/08/09 - 06:45 PM)
GOOD!!
Sheriff Joe for President!!!! You have my vote in 2012









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