Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone has filed his resignation paperwork in preparation for leaving his role as Sheriff.
On Wednesday, the Board of Supervisors formally acknowledged the resignation, with Penzone’s final day being scheduled for January 12, 2024.
During a news conference held in October of 2023, Sheriff Penzone announced that he would not be running for a third term as sheriff and had plans to vacate his position in January. This decision marks the end of his tenure as Maricopa County’s sheriff.
In 2016, Penzone was elected and secured a second term in the 2020 election.
Following Penzone’s inauguration in 2017, he implemented one of his major reforms by shutting down “Tent City,” a facility established by former Sheriff Joe Arpaio back in 1993.
On Wednesday, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors announced that Chief Deputy Sheriff Russ Skinner will serve in the position until the board appoints someone to fill the role who will finish out the last year of Penzone’s term.
Chief Deputy Sheriff Russ Skinner
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is currently seeking candidates to serve as the next Maricopa County Sheriff. Interested individuals can submit their applications for the interim position until Jan. 19. Candidates must be registered in the same political party as Penzone’s and be a resident of Maricopa County. The selected candidate will hold the position until the November election, at which point a new sheriff will be elected.
Penzone is leaving the sheriff’s office to take a job with Blue Cross Blue Shield.
