The newly elected Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan is seemingly ready to quickly immerse himself in the role, while also maintaining the traditional aesthetic of his position. According to an interview by FOX 10 Phoenix, Sheridan visited Watson’s Hat Shop in Cave Creek for a custom cowboy hat fitting—something he's aspired to since becoming sheriff. He already owns a couple of cowboy hats but wanted one that was custom-made. "I like this and I’ve gotten used to it and so I just wanted a custom hat that looks similar, but it’s gonna be different," Sheridan told FOX 10 Phoenix.
Beyond accessories, Sheridan is also diving into resolving deep-rooted issues within the sheriff's department. In a statement obtained by AZ Family, Sheridan expressed readiness to tackle the challenge of ending the department's federal oversight. The sheriff's office has been under scrutiny for its history of discriminatory practices, particularly under former Sheriff Joe Arpaio. "It’s an honor to be your new sheriff," Sheridan announced shortly after taking office and promised to work diligently to comply with a federal judge’s order regarding internal affairs investigations.
Despite the department's tumultuous history, Sheridan made a point to distinguish his leadership from his predecessor’s. "I’m not Joe Arpaio, I’m Jerry Sheridan," he assured in a video post. As the new sheriff, he inherits a backlog of 1,300 internal affairs cases, with nearly half predating four or more years. Addressing these investigations is essential as the department still strives for full compliance with court-mandated guidelines, as per AZ Family.
For the department to successfully bring itself to a place of accountability, the implementation of a solid plan will be key. Sheridan, who declined to comment on whether additional resources would be strictly necessary for the internal affairs investigations, remains optimistic. "They’ve got a great plan, and they laid it out too and we will be 100% compliance with the judge’s order," he told AZ Family. In adherence to a recent court order, the sheriff's office is mandated to reduce its backlog by 45 cases a month, or face a fine that could be used to hire more investigators. This initiative, if followed, is projected to address the case backlog by July 2026.
While Sheriff Sheridan steps into his position showcasing a personal symbol of authority and heritage with his new custom hat—expected to be ready in about 10 weeks at a starting price of $700—the greater task at hand will be to to thoroughly remedy the operations of a department with a controversial past.
