The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:
Heather Lappin鈥檚 campaign style is consistent: Project unsubstantiated, false claims and presents herself as the solution with no specific platform or ideas about how to be sheriff.
It is tiring to hear what her favorite slights are, 鈥渃orruption,鈥 鈥渃ronyism/good ol鈥 boys,鈥 鈥渂ackroom deals,鈥 and references to mysterious investigations.
The reality is, leading a large, complex law-enforcement agency requires making difficult decisions that include waiting to take action on administrative complaints and balancing transparency with operational discretion, particularly when legal processes are ongoing and could interfere with a complex criminal case.
Leaders with real experience understand that requested external inquiries for political reasons are sometimes par for the course. A distraction but nothing to fear when decisions are above-board.
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For a certified law enforcement officer to use the word corruption 鈥 understanding the impact and implication 鈥 when there is no evidence of it, should be concerning to all voters. When Heather Lappin claims corruption and misstates facts, tells half-truths, and fabricates rumors, it is beyond campaign tactics. It is actual corruption. To use such language without providing concrete evidence undermines the integrity of both the profession and the election process, and these terms should not be ignored.
How can a candidate for sheriff who is willing to skew facts, advance wild allegations with no evidence, and use inflammatory and distorted language ever be trusted to lead law enforcement investigations that matter to the community?
Experienced police leaders know that sometimes we must make no comment, we must wait for legal processes to proceed, and we must administer internal processes only when they will not interfere with primary criminal cases and prosecutions.
These matters are serious and should give voters pause. There are two candidates here, one who is leading a steady ship where criminal cases are progressing, public service is being provided, and community needs are being met 鈥 all evident with the Arizona Department of Public Safety crime statistics where violent crime in Pima County is down 40.25% and homicides are down 50%. This is a testament to his leadership and experience. Then there is another candidate who is using blatant lies, generating propaganda, and made-up scandals to try to win support.
Voters in Pima County are smarter than that. When looking at reality, false claims, and phony grievances 鈥 these do not make a platform, and when looking closely, voters see that Heather Lappin has no platform at all other than to lie about Sheriff Nanos, who knows how to do the job and how the department works.
So when 鈥渃orruption鈥 and 鈥渃ronyism鈥 and other inflammatory propaganda is offered up, look closely at what is behind it and you will see an unqualified, unprincipled, and irresponsible Heather Lappin 鈥 lacking all the traits of a legitimate law enforcement leader.
Clarence W. Dupnik is a retired longtime Pima County Sheriff.