Arpaio

The U.S. Justice Department told Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio that it would investigate his department over allegations of discrimination and unconstitutional searches and seizures. The Justice Department letter offered no specific allegations. But Arpaio said he thought the investigation was spurred by his department's often controversial efforts to combat illegal immigration in Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix. Arpaio has launched crime sweeps in areas with high concentrations of Latinos.

Re "As He Runs for a 4th Term, 'Toughest' Sheriff Is Ever Inventive," Aug. 23: What an amazing contrast between California and our neighbors in Arizona. Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio won't compromise, won't coddle criminals and he dramatically saves taxpayers money, unlike the programs instituted by our legislators and former L.A. County Sheriff Sherman Block. Just how long will Californians continue to shell out the hundreds of millions necessary to build and maintain the Twin Towers and similar facilities?

He likes to be called Sheriff Joe, "America's toughest sheriff." But some folks here in Maricopa County--Arizona's most populous--think Joe Arpaio's just plain mean. Since taking office seven years ago, he's blended a penchant for cost-cutting with a hard-line attitude toward the people accused of crimes in his territory. He feeds prisoners aging, surplus food. He clothes them in black-and-white-striped uniforms with pink underwear (which he also autographs and sells).

As a boy, Joe Arpaio lived for "oaters," those Saturday matinees starring Hollywood's singing cowboys who knew good from evil, and whose righteousness made local folks eager to ride with them on the dusty trail of outlaws. Now, as sheriff of Arizona's Maricopa County, Arpaio has mobilized his own 2,200-member volunteer posse, 800 of whom strap on side arms and Stetsons to join deputies in crime-fighting blitzkriegs across the Phoenix valley.