Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) bashed the continued presence of the federal monitor assigned to Maricopa County in a recent statement, pushing for his Monitor Accountability Act introduced in April.
What Biggs is Saying
The federal monitor overseeing the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) has been there since 2013, despite the Office complying with recommended reforms.
Arizona taxpayers have paid over $350 million since he was appointed, including $32 million paid directly to the monitor's firm.
U.S. District Judge Murray Snow recently ruled that the monitor could continue staying.
"I am profoundly disturbed that a court has allowed this rogue federal monitor to remain in place in Maricopa County," Rep. Biggs said in a statement. "The monitor's continued existence in our county and propensity for moving the goalposts from his original charge exploits taxpayers and undermines the brave work of law enforcement. This most recent ruling underscores the need for the Senate to pass my Monitor Accountability Act, which sets common-sense and clear rules for courts' use of federal monitors. I stand with the people and law enforcement officers of Maricopa County!"
The Monitor Accountability Act
Rep. Biggs's Monitor Accountability Act, which he introduced in April, imposes term limits of no more than 5 years on federal monitors and prohibits reappointment under the same court order.
Additionally, the new monitor must be announced and made available for public comment, cannot come from the same law firm or employer, and must have capped compensation.
Moreover, a monitorship can be extended only if the state or locality has not achieved full compliance, and after six years, the case must be reassigned to a different judge.
In May, the bill received approval from several law enforcement organizations, including the Arizona Sheriffs' Association, the Peace Officers Research Association of California, the Major County Sheriffs of America, the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, and the Arizona Police Association.
