Title
Requesting Report from Sheriff Nanos per A.R.S. §11-253(A)
Discussion/Direction/Action regarding draft language and questions about which the Board will seek a report under oath from Sheriff Chris Nanos - concerning matters ranging from his work history to other personnel, management or internal affairs matters of concern, to immigration enforcement, to any other related matters connected with the duties of his office - in alignment with A.R.S. §11-253(A). (District 2)
Motion by Chair Allen, seconded by Supervisor Heinz. Request report in 10 business days to coincide with next Board meeting on April 21, 2026, approved 5-0.
Pursuant to A.R.S. §11-253, the Board requests a report from Sheriff Nanos addressing the facts and circumstances related to each of the following matters, together with any corrective actions taken to date, any additional actions proposed, and a timeline for implementation where applicable:
1. Prior representations regarding your employment history with the El Paso Police Department, including:
a) the circumstances of your departure,
b) the dates of your employment as reflected in application materials, résumés, and prior testimony with Pima County, and
c) any prior disciplinary history, including suspensions.
For this matter, please also identify whether any inaccuracies or omissions occurred, and what steps, if any, you will take to address the matter, restore public confidence, and ensure the accuracy and completeness of your official background and employment representations in the future.
2. The disciplinary actions involving former Pima County Sheriff candidate Lt. Heather Lappin and union leader Sgt. Aaron Cross, including the process, standards, and considerations applied in those matters.
For this matter, please also identify whether existing policies, procedures, and supervisory practices adequately safeguard impartiality and consistency in disciplinary decisions, and describe any steps you will take to clarify standards, strengthen review processes, and prevent the appearance of retaliatory or uneven enforcement in future matters involving employees engaged in protected or political activities.
3. The nature and extent of communications or coordination between the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and federal immigration officials since 2021, including how those interactions align with the department’s stated policies and public representations. For this matter, please also describe any written policies and procedures currently governing such interactions, whether those policies have been followed consistently, and what steps, if any, you will take to clarify departmental guidance and public communication on this issue going forward.
4. There have been repeated instances where the Board of Supervisors has been informed by the Finance Department that your department would exceed its budget. Please describe how and why prior department expenditures have exceeded your budget and what you have done to address budgetary issues in forthcoming budget cycles.