PHOENIX, AZ – This week, Governor Doug Ducey appointed Pima County Attorney Laura Conover and Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos to the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission. The two democrats join newly appointed members Mohave County Supervisor Jean Bishop, Tempe Chief of Police Jeffrey Glover, and Oro Valley Chief of Police Kara Riley.
Three vacancies remain on the 19 seat Commission. Members are supposed to represent various elements of the criminal justice system in Arizona, with 14 of the 19 members being county or elected officials. The remaining 5 spots are reserved for criminal justice agency heads.
Commissioners are appointed by the Governor serve for two years and terminate when the first regular session of the legislature is convened.
Sheriff Nanos joins Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone and Attorney General Mark Brnovich as the only elected heads of law enforcement officers on the Commission.
“We are extremely grateful to welcome our two new southern Arizona Commission members,” said Chairwoman Sheila Polk. “Each brings valuable and unique experience to the criminal justice system, and we look forward to their involvement in our Commission.”
Conover, a democrat, was elected in November 2020. She worked for the Federal Public Defenders Office for seven years before establishing her own law practice.
Nanos a democrat, was elected in November 2020. After being appointed to the Sheriff’s position by the Pima County Board of Supervisors in 2015 upon the resignation of Sheriff’s Clarence Dupnik, Nanos lost the seat to Mark Napier in 2016 only to defeat Napier in a rematch in 2020.
On behalf of the Commission’s professional staff, I welcome our new members and thank Governor Ducey for these important appointments to our Commission,” said Director Andrew T. LeFevre. “Adding their unique views and voices to the Commission will help ACJC continue to be the state’s leading criminal justice resource agency.”