Henry Fernandez wrote a nice piece on Think Progress a few days ago about Fox’s newest reality show star, Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Fernandez says:
Arpaio has diverted deputies from solving crimes to chasing immigrants — and done so with no real strategy other than to attract television cameras. Arpaio’s deputies carry out traffic stops and neighborhood sweeps that have reportedly stopped people for no greater “crime” than being brown. These sheriff deputies hope they find someone without identification who they can turn over to federal immigration officials. Arpaio even requires that victims and witnesses prove their immigration status – a sure way to get fewer whistleblowers to come forward, thus increasing crime.
Seems like an odd guy for Fox to highlight as a law enforcement icon.
Fernandez also highlights a new video by America’s Voice that exposes the damage Arpaio has done to the justice system in Maricopa County.