TUCSON — Pima County Supervisor Ramon Valadez lost one of his appointees to the Community Law Enforcement Partnership Commissioner last week when Commissioner Gabriel Ruiz resigned.
Earlier in the week, supervisors Ally Miller and Steve Christy withdrew their appointees to the Commission.
Ruiz, a former deputy sheriff, advised Valadez in a letter later published in the Green valley News that
“The recent withdraw of CLEPC members by two members of the Board of Supervisors, I find it necessary to resign my appointment.
‘The board is composed of members of law enforcement and those who oppose the rule of law. The name itself is misleading, as there is no ‘partnership’ involved. The commission presents a platform opportunity for those who believe that only politically expedient laws should be followed and that anything that supports law enforcement is something to be opposed.”
Ruiz concluded, “As a former deputy sheriff, I have always attempted to be a part of a group of individuals that prides themselves on being fair and equitable. CLEPC represents the worst of our society, those who would pervert the law in an attempt to further their own agendas while at the same time professing to support the police.”
Supervisors Ally Miller and Christy made similar observations in their withdrawal announcement. [Related article: Miller, Christy pull appointees to Pima County Community Law Enforcement Commission ]
Miller made available videos which showed radical activist Commissioner Isabel Garcia using her position to abuse commissioners who have served or are serving as law enforcement officers.
Example of commissioners’ exchange.
Valadez, who fancies himself the Tony Robbins of Tucson, posted a bizarre Facebook Live video discussing the Commission and his hope that the Commission can be saved.
Valadez, who tries to portray himself as a friend of law enforcement while holding a seat in a Democrat-leaning district, is walking a political tightrope. He is desperate to save Commission in order to preserve his much needed progressive support.
Pima County Sheriff Mark Napier, who is also walking the same tightrope, initially endorsed the Commission. He has been silent since Miller’s videos went public.
The Commission was created on February 20, 2018 as one of five conditions set by the supervisors for the Pima County Sheriff’s Office in order to accept Operation Stonegarden funds for Federal Fiscal Year 2017.
When supervisors Ramon Valadez, Sharon Bronson, and Richard Elias voted to reject the Stonegarden funds as part of the “Resistance Movement,” the Commission lost its original purpose, but was given new life with an expansion of its oversight role.
Operation Stonegarden funds are intended to compensate the Sheriff’s Office for costs associated with human and drug smuggling interdiction.
Related articles:
Bronson Demands Stonegarden Rejection, Or LEPCP Expansion
Law Enforcement Partnership Commissioner Garcia claims cops are ‘Quick to use bombs’