Who is Dan Saban

* Dan Saban has 32 years of professional law enforcement experience to successfully lead the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and is widely known among his peers for his integrity and commitment to excellent policing.

* Dan Saban has built a solid reputation as a leader in police services and management distinguishing himself as an expert in public safety and community partnerships.

* Dan Saban has a record of creating community partnership policing models which successfully incorporates businesses, schools and faith-based organizations in his efforts to reduce crime through targeted prevention efforts.

* Dan Saban's innovative approach to police work has led to the successful integration of Police, Fire and Public Works services response to emergency situations. His efforts have been recognized on the state level with the Arizona Counter-Terrorism Center and the Arizona Department of Homeland Security as a model for other agencies to follow.

In a stunning demonstration of the widely-felt need for a new Sheriff in Maricopa County, six of the state's most prominent law enforcement associations endorsed Buckeye Police Chief Dan Saban for Maricopa County Sheriff.

In accepting the endorsement of these groups whose members number over 8,000 law enforcement officers and officials statewide, Saban said "These men and women are counting on me to restore professionalism to the management level of this office and to support their efforts as professional crime fighters."

In explaining why rank-and-file officers and deputies want to a new Sheriff, Martin Bihn, spokesman for the Deputies Association said Arpaio is to blame for undermining public safety by diverting precious resources and money away from important crime enforcement projects to publicity projects. I would add his spending millions on odd predilections and bizarre conspiracy theories in which everyone is out to get Joe Arpaio.

The groups endorsing Saban include:

* Maricopa County Deputies Association
* Arizona Conference of Police and Sheriffs
* Arizona Correctional Peace Officers Association (AZCOPS)
* Chandler Police Lieutenants and Sergeants Association
* Maricopa Community College Police Association
* Maricopa County Probation Association

No association representing any employee or officer in the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has endorsed the current Sheriff. What does that tell you? It's time for a new Sheriff in town...

Though Saban re-registered as a Democrat for this contest, don't fool yourself that he's a Dem in any sense. He's absolutely a Republican, but defeating Arpaio among the very narrow and ideological electorate of a Republican primary is nearly impossible. Saban has done the smart thing that will allow the entire electorate of Maricopa County to decide who their Sheriff will be, not a tiny ideological minority.

Link

Interestingly, the Buckeye Police Association, which Saban headed for the past three years, has endorsed Joe Arpaio rather than Dan Saban. Phoenix Law Enforcement Agency also endorses Arpaio.