![]() The contempt finding could allow the court to take further action, such as additional sanctions, to force MCSO into compliance. That figure does not include attorneys' fees and other court costs, an MCSO spokesperson confirmed to Phoenix New Times. Maricopa County already spends millions as a result of the ongoing Melendres case: $29 million on compliance with the related court orders last year alone, according to county budget documents. ![]() The official order will likely be handed down sometime in the next several weeks. In 2021, the sheriff's office initiated 1,172 misconduct allegations and 1,204 in 2020.Īt a hearing in August, Snow announced his intention to hold Penzone in contempt over the backlog. The agency has more than 2,100 open investigations. Despite a long-standing court mandate that all internal investigations must be completed in 85 days - and for certain divisions, within 60 days - the average time currently sits at more than 600 days per investigation. The reason for the looming contempt finding originates in the office's internal investigations division, the Professional Standards Bureau, which investigates complaints about the conduct of deputies, detention officers, and other staff.įor years, the sheriff's office has faced a severe backlog in processing these complaints. After a 2011 injunction and a subsequent 2013 finding that Arpaio engaged in unlawful practices as sheriff, MCSO has been required to comply with a laundry list of court mandates.īut Penzone hasn't fully complied with the orders. The class-action lawsuit was initially brought in 2007 over MCSO's racial profiling practices. ![]() ![]() In 2016, Arpaio was found in contempt of court orders in Melendres, as well. Arpaio dates back to the reign of former Sheriff Joe Arpaio. The ongoing court case, Ortega Melendres v. Murray Snow plans to cite Penzone and the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office for contempt of court over a 15-year-old racial profiling lawsuit that started under Penzone's predecessor. Time is ticking for Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone. ![]()
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