Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments Career Politicians

Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments

Joe Arpaio, Sheriff of Maricopa County, is arguably the most interesting, cruel and controversial name in law enforcement. Sheriff Arpaio seems to treat the Maricopa County Jail as his own personal sideshow and publicity stunt. From making his inmates wear pink underwear to forcing a woman to give birth in shackles; here's a list of the 10 craziest things that the man who has cost Maricopa county over $43 million in lawsuits has ever done with his jailing system.
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  1. 1

    Forces Woman to Give Birth on Shackles

    Alma Minerva Chacon, who was detained while 9-months pregnant, was terrorized by Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio. The night she was arrested, Chacon went into labor and rushed to a hospital with her hands and legs chained in shackles.

    Nurses begged the Sheriff's staff unchain Alma, but they refused and Chacon was forced to give birth while still shackled to the bed. They even denied the nurse's request to release her to go to the bathroom for a urinalysis.

    As if that was bad enough, after Chacon gave birth to her baby girl, she was still chained to the bed, and the police staff refused to let Chacon hold her own newborn baby and warned her that if no one came to pick up the child within 72 hours, the child would be turned over into state custody.
  2. 2

    Paralyzing a Paraplegic Prisoner

    Richeard Post was a paraplegic man, with a colostomy bag, who was arrested for possession of marijuana and trespassing in 1996 by Sheriff Joe's department. Not a very violent, and actually a fairly benign charge, given the breadth of crimes someone could be committing in the Mesa/Phoenix area of Arizona.

    For some reason, it was decided by Joe's officers that it was necessary to put Richard Post, a paraplegic man with special needs, in an almost-Guantanamo-Bay-style restraint chair, after he got "unruly" because he pleaded with his captors for need of a catheter with which to urinate.

    He spent four hours in the chair begging to be released because a paraplegic's body would most likely suffer very serious injuries if kept in a position like this.

    When they heard these cries, Sheriff Joe's department of torturers decided to up the ante a little bit on Richard Post's time in the chair: they tightened the restraints as hard as they could, effectively breaking Richard Post's neck.

    They broke a paraplegic man's neck.

    Post has since lost much of the use of his arms due to the injury and had to have spinal surgery to remove a vertebrae.

    All of this for possession of marijuana and basically calling someone a bad name in a public place.

    Quite a few people have actually DIED while in Sheriff Joe's prisons, and attached is a video of a hate crime committed, easily, inside a supposedly "maximum security" prison of his.
  3. 3

    Arresting Illegal Immigrants... Himself.

    How would you THINK that any amnesty laws would be treated by the man who once said it was an honor to be compared to the KKK?

    Arizona passed a law in 2005 making it a felony to traffic illegal aliens across the border to the United States. Since it's already a federal law, most other local law enforcement agencies will just turn any illegal aliens discovered over to federal authorities.

    Not Sheriff Joe's department, though. Sheriff Joe's department will not only arrest these illegal aliens, but bring them over to his jail.

    Sheriff Joe told the Washington Times "My message is clear: if you come here and i catch you, you're going straight to jail... I'm not going to turn these people over to federal authorities so they can have a free ride back to Mexico. I'll give them a free ride to my jail."

    After the Obama administration hit the white house, the Department of Homeland Security removed Arapaio's department's authority to make immigration arrests and ended his ability to "hunt down" possible offenders via racial/vehicle profiling.

    After all of this, Arpaio currently states that he will continue to pursue illegal aliens under Arizona state law.
  4. 4

    Arrested for Clapping

    Sheriff Arpaio’s deputies arrested citizens for clapping at a public meeting with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.

    The citizens, who were there to speak and part of the agenda for the public meeting, were forced out of the room and were not allowed to speak about the issue at hand because they'd expressed a level of enthusiasm that Sheriff Joe and his deputies did not appreciate.

    Scroll to about half way through the video to see a woman pleading to have her voice be heard only to have it silenced by the unforgiving arrests of Sheriff Joe's officers.
  5. 5

    Pink Underwear

    One of Arpaio's most visible public relations actions was forcing the inmates to wear old-fashioned prison stripes and pink underwear, which the Maricopa County Sheriff's website cites as being "world famous." Arpaio subsequently started to sell customized pink boxers (with the Maricopa County Sheriff's logo and "Go Joe") as a fund-raiser for Sheriff's Posse Association.

    Arpaio's success in gaining press coverage with the pink underwear resulted in introducing pink handcuffs, which were used to promote his book, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, America's Toughest Sheriff. How cute.

items 1 - 5 of 10

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  1. Darius Cabriales
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 10/09/2012 12:30 AM
    worthy sheriff joe arpaio, my friend
  2. Tommye Saggese
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 7/19/2012 9:30 AM
    choice maricopa county sheriff, eh?
  3. Loralee Haggar
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 7/19/2012 8:30 AM
    choice sheriff joe, mandude
  4. Shakia Horsford
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 7/02/2012 5:30 AM
    choice maricopa county jail, right?
  5. dghammer
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 5/01/2012 5:42 PM
    Nothing crazy about this man....only libs crazy reactions to great ideas.......Give'em Hell Joe1
  6. Name
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 4/27/2012 9:15 PM
    We support Joe!!!!
  7. New to AZ
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 9/08/2011 3:38 PM
    My boyfriend is currently in Tent City for a DUI. He knows what he did was wrong and was ready to face the consequences. He is in there for 30 days and will be getting out next week. He also got sick in there but was treated for his ear infection. He was recently put into solitary confinement after being told he had to be part of a chain gang that helps bury dead bodies. He asked what his other options were and they told him solitary confinement. At least he is out of this crazy heat. I am sure he is going crazy in there. I really don't think that having inmates bury dead bodies is OK! That is messed up. There are people called gravediggers that get paid to do this. I can understand cleaning up the highways or volunteering at shelters. But burying bodies?? That is messed up.
  8. FreeWoman
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 7/15/2011 6:44 AM
    There are THOUSANDS of inmates who are non-violent 'drug offenders' and even more who are WRONGFULLY incarcerated due to the rampant corruption of the police. This is supposed to be a FREE country - I can't believe how many of these comments are people who THRIVE on watching others suffer - people they don't even know. Yes there are some terrible criminals out there, but MOST are not. We have the highest prison pop**ation in the world and our prisons make a ton of money for each inmate they get. Just think of what that implies. Sorry - asking you to think for yourself may be asking too much. Just wait until it is YOU or your wife who is arrested for pissing off the wrong pig. Our money should not be going to pay for incarcerating ANY non-violent people, let alone giving someone a salary to torture people. I can think of a billion better things in which to invest.
  9. RD IN DENVER
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 7/13/2011 8:30 AM
    Sheriff Joe is a National Hero! He's the only law enforcement official taking care of the illegal immigrant situation. Hoorraaayyy for Sheriff Joe!
  10. ussoldier820
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 3/10/2011 9:37 AM
    All LE needs to take pointers from this man! If you are a criminal you should be treated as such, you chose your life of crime and to be an insufferable scumbag instead of learning from the hardships in your life and working to rise above it to become a better person and a productive member of society, you chose this life, now suffer the consequences!
  11. Ellmm
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 1/23/2011 1:03 PM
    It may be illegal to immigrate but why? Why can't we share the land with our brothers& sisters? And you may say illegal immigrants commit a lot of crime but they are only immigrating to have a better life. A life with family and having fun, making the most of it. You only live once so why waste it in jail? This guy is mad, he is against everybody that's against him. Suppose he will try to throw me in jail now.
    1. RD IN Denver
      Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 7/13/2011 8:36 AM
      It is not illegal to immigrate, you simply need to follow the law regarding legal immigration. If you break the law to get into our country, you are not the kind of citizen we need.
  12. paulbrower
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 10/08/2010 1:33 AM
    I had to laugh when I read Lynn's answer. Most of what she said is true, but NOT about the medical care, all inmates have medical staff if needed.
    renadexsite.com
  13. LawBider
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 9/06/2010 9:44 AM
    To all of those people who feel Joe's environment is harsh, please send the jail your address and invite them to serve out their sentence in your home with your loved ones. It is a jail not the Hilton. And if it really was so terrible there, why on earth do they keep going back? Murder, robbery, drugs, etc etc. Obviously the criminals are not distracted by their accommodations because they continue to stay.

    Signed,
    A law abiding citizen
  14. Sherrie
    Volunteer Chain Gangs at 9/02/2010 4:06 PM
    Ok, so they work 7 hours 6 days a week.



    Don't non criminals also work. Do we call it forced and publicize this so everyone feels sorry for us? I don't think so.
  15. Sherrie
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 9/02/2010 3:56 PM
    I think he has the right ideas re: criminals. He makes them uncomfortable and unhappy & this makes me comfortable and happy.



    I wish he was a sheriff in Florida.
  16. Sam
    Volunteer Chain Gangs at 8/30/2010 8:48 AM
    How can a "volunteer" be "forced" to work. Isn't that a contradicion?
  17. Bobbo
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 8/10/2010 9:43 PM
    How is he still in law enforcement and not charged... Police or not I can't imagine ANYONE doing all the things listed in this article and NOT being charged with a crime (or several).But... it's America, Arizona, and he's white so... it's all good right ? USA USA
  18. b. nash
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 7/29/2010 8:52 AM
    wow, you sure go out of your way to protect criminals, don't you? look, sheriff joe and his guys may have crossed the line a few times. to be honest i didn't know about the paraplegic guy, but given the language in this article i'm going to go ahead and assume there is something you are leaving out. even so, if he's doing anything illegal why is he still the sheriff? the lawsuits aren't his fault, that's the people mad at him for upholding the LAW. this is not a city drunk tank we're talking about, it's a state maximum security prison. these aren't traffic offenders, they are felons. i may not agree with some of the things he's done, and in fact do think some of them are pretty bad, but in the end he is treating criminals like criminals and not like decent human beings. these are rapists, murderers, gang members, the worst of the wrost and you are complaining because he makes them wear pink underwear? i'll tell you what, if you volunteer to take some of these criminals into your home so they don't have to endure sheriff joe you go right ahead. i'm perfectly content to let these murderous lawbreakers rot in their tents.
    1. christo930
      Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 8/02/2010 7:30 PM
      It's a country jail
  19. think about it
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 7/28/2010 8:15 PM
    there will be unsavory comments toward my posts and possibly more....its ok to be angry. the question still remains....how would you feel if this was you, your loved ones, these are your neighbors, your countrymen if nothing else these are human beings. we are all on this island together when does the hate stop and the healing begin. we all want the same things-joy,success, love, laughter. i hope someone will open their heart and mind, see the possibilities and help rather than hinder.
  20. think about it
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 7/28/2010 8:01 PM
    how can u guy be so harsh? yes ppl commit crimes and depending on the severity must face certain penalties but some of these comments are way out of line. i can only wonder, either its a bunch of kids on here, racists and bigots, or ppl filled with hate. you guys say these things and believe them because you feel benevolent and no one matters but yourself, the course of history shows progress cannot be stopped and hate is not progress. i wish i could talk to each one of you face to face to try and understand youre feelings of hate. i know i would get no where, ppl with hate in their only posses the weapon of vulgarity. if thiese where ppl that you loved how would you feel.
  21. starlilmama
    Forces Woman to Give Birth on Shackles at 7/06/2010 8:00 AM
    This is unbelieveable event! I m hoping that we need to ask President Obama to authorize to fire Joe Apraio because this is very cruel and unusal way. I cant believe this, Please somebody to get this man removed from sheriff!!
  22. Chris G
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 6/06/2010 1:18 AM
    This guy should run every jail in North America. Stop catering to these low life. If you do the crime lets make every convict do this Mans time. Betcha crime rates go down as well as repeat offenders
    1. GROFAZ
      Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 1/11/2011 7:03 AM
      It's a pity we havn't got Sheriff Joe here in England.There is plenty to do, clearing out the drunks & junkies in the holiday camps they call jails here. Rounding up gangs of moslem pakistani perverts roaming the streets looking for under age kids.
    1. TWR
      Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 7/21/2010 10:09 AM
      eat s**t buddy!! wait till you get locked up by mistake and have to sit in there to prove your innocent. and all your tax money being wasted on publicity stunts.also joe and his family are commiting crime as well AND WHAT COUNTY HAS A SERIFF THAT HAS A FELONY RECORD HIMSELF. CORRUPTED AZ MCSO
  23. MadBiker
    Forces Woman to Give Birth on Shackles at 5/23/2010 2:46 PM
    So the cops jut arrested her for nothing? Not very plausible. Was it Arapio that arrested her personally, or one of his deputies?

    Giving birth while handcuffed to the gurney ain't like be tortured.
    1. lmsant
      Forces Woman to Give Birth on Shackles at 5/24/2010 11:04 AM
      coming from a man I could understand that you know no better than to say that, but ask any woman how that would feel maybe ask your mother how she would of felt if she had to give birth to you on a stretcher and handcuffed to a gurney and then not able to hold you. I really hope you never ever have to have any family member go through this, regardless of your immigration status or the color of your skin. Not even animals goes through this.
  24. lmsant
    Forces Woman to Give Birth on Shackles at 5/23/2010 1:54 PM
    Let me correct you MadBiker, this woman was grocery shopping for her other children when she was arrested. She is not a criminal, nor was she arrested for killing a kid. I know her personally. I hope your mother, wife, daughters never live thorough what this woman lived through at the hands of Joe Arpaio
    1. MadBiker
      Forces Woman to Give Birth on Shackles at 5/23/2010 2:46 PM
      So the cops jut arrested her for nothing? Not very plausible. Was it Arapio that arrested her personally, or one of his deputies?

      Giving birth while handcuffed to the gurney ain't like be tortured.
  25. MadBiker
    Pink Underwear at 5/20/2010 4:50 PM
    How is this "reprehensible"? So what if some other police department started it first?

    I'm kinda thinking here that Iamcage is perhaps a bit afraid he might be wearing the pink.

    Way to go, dude. Should everyone you disagree with "die in a fire"? A bit morally twisted there, fella.
  26. MadBiker
    Arrested for Clapping at 5/20/2010 4:46 PM
    I guess no other police department in the country has ever gotten over enthusiastic about maintaining order.
  27. MadBiker
    Arresting Illegal Immigrants... Himself. at 5/20/2010 4:45 PM
    Hmmm... A cop trying to uphold the LAW. Wow, that is so insane. Imagine, arresting someone for breaking the law. What is the world coming to?
  28. MadBiker
    Paralyzing a Paraplegic Prisoner at 5/20/2010 4:43 PM
    All police departments do stupid things on occasion.

    And to Beyio, who has he murdered? If that was true, the FBI would have nailed him. Since they have NOT, then it stands to reason he hasn't murdered anyone.
  29. MadBiker
    Forces Woman to Give Birth on Shackles at 5/20/2010 4:39 PM
    Why do we want women criminals to be mothers? The story doesn't say what she had done to be arrested. Perhaps it was for killing a kid.
    1. lmsant
      Forces Woman to Give Birth on Shackles at 5/23/2010 1:54 PM
      Let me correct you MadBiker, this woman was grocery shopping for her other children when she was arrested. She is not a criminal, nor was she arrested for killing a kid. I know her personally. I hope your mother, wife, daughters never live thorough what this woman lived through at the hands of Joe Arpaio
  30. Anonymous
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 5/20/2010 3:40 PM
    Arizona is the black hole of the United States, sucking us back 60 yrs when African Americans were "N****rs" and latin americans were "spics" . Wait til race wars break out. The voting white minority will have their throats slit. This guy should be hung in a basement will nobody watching.
    1. MadBiker
      Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 5/20/2010 4:53 PM
      Nice. The United States can't enforce its borders because if they do, white people will have their throats slit. Outstanding way to create racial harmony.
  31. Bigiron383
    Arrested News Reporters For Making Him Angry at 5/17/2010 9:09 AM
    Let's print your address in the paper.
  32. Bigiron383
    Jail Operation Changes at 5/17/2010 9:08 AM
    Do the crime, do the time.
  33. Bigiron383
    Tent City at 5/17/2010 9:07 AM
    Good enough for our troops overseas, why not prisoners?
  34. vingmoo
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 5/16/2010 10:30 AM
    That redneck hillbilly Sheriff is WAY to full of himself. I am truly surprised someone hasnt takin him out yet

    Lou
    www.total-anonymity.se.tc
    1. Bigiron383
      Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 5/17/2010 9:10 AM
      Why? He keeps getting reelected.
  35. Bella Barbie
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 5/16/2010 5:00 AM
    Joe Arpaiao is a disgusting human. I wish him the worst. Despicable ! i canno imagine giving birth handcuff. Where is human dignity? oh wait she doesn't have papers. F**king nut!
  36. iamcage
    Pink Underwear at 5/12/2010 9:16 PM
    He is so full of s**t. The Sheriff or main police guy in my town Lexington did the pink bulls**t first. Not only is he a liar but a reprehensible person also.

    Die in a fire.
  37. s*****sekoff
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 5/12/2010 8:35 PM
    Are you kidding me? This guy is a national treasure! He treats criminals as they deserve to be treated!! When Governor Brewer wins the Presidency in 2012, I hope Arizonans are smart enough to make Sheriff Arpaio their Governor!
  38. djs1108
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 5/12/2010 7:27 PM
    The tactics Joe Arpaio uses are inhumane and borderline insane. I can attest as a former guest of the "tent city". I had heard the claims of ignoring medical needs before, and I experienced them first hand. I spent 30 days in the tents after getting a DUI in Arizona. Now before the critics say it, I agree. I did the crime. I was guilty. I deserved the punishment. I did think it a bit harsh, however, to be put in tents with drug runners, illegal aliens, and more serious criminals like gang members and burglars. A couple weeks into my stay in the disgustingly filty tents - using portable toilets that were never emptied the whole time I was there, I developed pink eye and a pretty nasty cough. I was told to submit a medical request form by sliding a form I filled out under a door, and wait to be called. I did that for 3 days before they called me... but not for medical attention. They called me to put me to work in the kitchen! This continued every day for another week until finally one day, when taking my group to work in the kitchen, the other inmates refused to be handcuffed to me because both my eyes were swollen shut and I was couging up phlegm constantly. The guards took me to medical care after that where I was diagnosed with severe pink eye in both eyes, strep throat, a sinus infection, and an inner ear infection. Amazingly, the next day, all my previous medical request forms were returned to me... backdated, along with a note chastizing me for not reporting when called. The bottom line is, my medical needs were IGNORED until the issue was forced and I became a liability.
    1. MadBiker
      Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 5/20/2010 4:54 PM
      You should have been put on a chain gang like we had back before the 1940's.
  39. bevyjo
    Paralyzing a Paraplegic Prisoner at 5/12/2010 4:18 PM
    i remember this i also remember them putting a mentally disabled man in a choke hold and killing him the charge was trespassing and he kept trying to take his tennies and go home, why is arpaio getting away with murder?
  40. Isabel Moya
    Forces Woman to Give Birth on Shackles at 5/12/2010 3:44 PM
    why do we want a man who is this cruel to women?
    1. MadBiker
      Forces Woman to Give Birth on Shackles at 5/20/2010 4:39 PM
      Why do we want women criminals to be mothers? The story doesn't say what she had done to be arrested. Perhaps it was for killing a kid.
  41. cgs07470
    Forces Woman to Give Birth on Shackles at 5/12/2010 2:45 PM
    Why was this dummy arrested at 9 months pregnant? was she a violent offender that needed to be restrained?
  42. Anonymous
    Volunteer Chain Gangs at 5/12/2010 8:18 AM
    I agree with Sherriff Joe. He may go a bit too far, but since when is being a criminal good for anyone. Wanna be a piece of c**p then live with the consequences.
  43. jksamia
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 5/12/2010 7:59 AM
    I'm not going to say I approve of many things that Sheriff Joe has done over the years. He is a racist media w***e. Even worse, he thinks he's doing right.



    I do agree with some of his policies though. Some of his changes - chain gangs, pink underwear, and tent city - are designed to cut costs on the state government level. He requires that prisoners work for the shelter and food provided by the prison system. Tent city is also designed for minor offenses, like DUI's or minor drug charges. This keeps small-time offenders away from the major criminals pop**ating the prisons. It makes it so prison time is still available for criminals without overpop**ating the permanent prisons at a minimal cost. Also, the people in Tent City are only there for something like a month max. Not too bad, if you ask me.



    Overall, Arpaio is still a bigot and still reprehensible in many of his actions, but I will still stand behind SOME of his actions. Like they say, even a broken clock is right twice a day.
  44. Anonymous
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 5/11/2010 10:19 PM
    Love this guy... Over the top in some cases but inspiring... I wish all jails were like this in the USA... it would lower the tax burden on those of us who plan to... and generally do a pretty good job of staying out of Jail...
  45. skarpel105
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 5/11/2010 3:07 PM
    you are disgusting
  46. Tennessee Budd
    Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 5/11/2010 11:43 AM
    Sheriff Joe for governor! The man is inspiring.
    1. vodou
      Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 5/12/2010 10:02 AM
      Inspiring? Did you miss the part where a paraplegic's neck was broken in his custody?
      1. DonHumber
        Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 5/01/2012 5:47 PM
        Get real son
      1. Bigiron383
        Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 5/17/2010 9:13 AM
        I''ll vote for him again.
        1. think about it
          Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 7/28/2010 7:48 PM
          for the life of me i cant understand why some of u embrace hate and revel upon hearing the news of ppl suffering at the hands of another. I used to be in favor of joe but recently his actions have been inhumane to say the least. A recent poll on one of the local news stations showed an overwhelming number of hispanics believe MCSO profiles while and equally overwhelming number of whites DO NOT. tell me....if you are NOT a member of a certain race how can you infer what the other has, is, or will endure? no i do not have specific details on this poll, i could not find them online so while some of you will put your spin on this; my question remains the same. If race rolls were reversed how would you feel?
          1. listenwithopenears
            Sheriff Joe Arpaio's 10 Craziest Moments at 6/19/2011 7:54 AM
            People, people, listen to each other...those who are guilty should serve time..hoe ever there are many innocent humans in jail..

            The only way for all of us to unite as one species is for an international disaster to happen at a mega level..We all bleed red.

            I don't understand hate..justice yes, hate no..

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