Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone

Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone announced Monday he does not plan to run for a third term and will leave the office in January 2024.

“In law enforcement, I think that you always have to have the plan to go in and make as much impact as you can in a period of time that is appropriate and clear the way for someone else to come in and improve on that,” Penzone said at a press conference.

“So as I said, I will not be pursuing a third term. As a matter of fact, I think it would be appropriate to depart from the office in January and clear the way so that during the last year of my term going into the election there aren’t distractions.”

The county Board of Supervisors will select an interim sheriff until a new one is elected.

Penzone mentioned this decision will allow him to pursue opportunities to serve the public in other ways, although he did not provide any details in his future plans.

Penzone is committed to working Maricopa County and MCSO to ensure a smooth transition.