Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) has called upon Attorney General Pam Bondi to resolve a long-running federal lawsuit that has impacted the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office's operational capacity.
For additional context, the Federal government filed a lawsuit against the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office for racial profiling. In 2013, a court-ordered monitor was appointed to oversee reforms at the Office.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has spent over $352 million to comply, despite achieving near-perfect compliance for several years, with $34 million going directly to the monitor.
"For over a decade, a costly federal monitor has hamstrung the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office through administrative overreach and constant federal interference," said Rep. Biggs in a statement, adding, "MCSO has worked tirelessly to comply with the court-ordered reforms, and it's clear that the original goals of the oversight have been met. The continued monitoring, along with the growing costs associated with it, serves no legitimate purpose for the people of Maricopa County."
Biggs then called on the attorney general "to bring this matter to a close and allow local law enforcement to move forward without unnecessary federal involvement."
This is not the first time Arizona Republicans have criticized federal overreach in the Grand Canyon State's law enforcement.
In March, Representative Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ) demanded action following accusations that the Biden Administration had weaponized the Department of Justice (DOJ) to target the Phoenix Police Department (PPD) for supposed racial discrimination, excessive force, and other civil rights violations toward the homeless and mentally disabled, despite the Ninth Circuit Court ruling the police were acting lawfully.
Rep. Hamadeh called the report a "desperate witch hunt" and demanded it be rescinded.
"It is nothing more than an attempt to undercut valid police work, leaving my constituents - both officers and civilians - at risk," Rep. Hamadeh added.
In May, the report was rescinded.
"I am grateful to President Trump and his team of patriotic professionals dedicated to the men and women of our local law enforcement agencies who run to the sound of danger to keep our communities safe and secure," Hamadeh celebrated.
