Candidate Profile: Mark Napier For Pima County Sheriff

The 2020 election is heating up in Arizona with plenty of candidates vying for office. While there is a huge emphasis on the presidential election, voters will also decide the outcome of local elections and determine who will fill state representative and senate seats.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Mark D. Napier, an Oro Valley resident, is running for Pima County Sheriff.

Age: 58
Party affiliation: Republican Party
Family: Wife - Marlene
Occupation: Law Enforcement Officer - 38 years
Previous elected experience: Pima County Sheriff - Current
Family members in government: Son-in-law - U.S. Army
Campaign website: https://www.sheriffnapier2020....

The single most pressing issue facing our state is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I would answer this with respect to Pima County. I believe that drug trafficking through the county is the biggest threat. We are having far too many overdoses on opioids and methamphetamine. Our proximity to the border results in huge amounts of drugs being trafficked through our community. We need to do a better job targeting the traffickers and treating those who are addicted. We are starting a Rural District with 10 new grant funded deputies to put more resources in the area. We are meeting with leaders from CODAC to determine how we can better address the addicted.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have a very diverse base of experience, not only in a single agency. I have a B.S. in Social Psychology and a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice. I have taught graduate school for 15 years. In addition, I am a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police, the Public Executive Training Programs at Arizona State University and have a Certificate in Public Policy Management from the University of Arizona. I have the experience and education necessary to be an effective Sheriff.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

• Fiscal responsibility
• ACT Reform Plan
• Development of a Racial Profiling Policy
• Increase staffing and recruiting
• Lower crime in the county, especially violent crime
• Development of a Strategic Plan to guide the department in future years
• Removal of bias and cronyism from promotion processes
• Have testified before Congress (twice)
• Elected Vice President of Arizona Sheriffs and Major County Sheriffs

What steps should state government take to bolster economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic for local businesses?

Ensure that we are following public health guidance to keep us safe, while supporting local businesses economically and with commonsense guidelines about opening.

How will you address the calls for racial justice and police reform?

We are doing that already. Our ACT Reform Plan is a comprehensive effort at addressing both racial justice and police reform. It is receiving national attention, having been featured in two national WebEx presentations and will be featured in a national law enforcement magazine in November.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

The Pima County Sheriff's Department is a major county law enforcement agency. As such, it requires a Sheriff with the diversity of experience and depth of education to provide effective leadership and meaningful engagement with the community.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have been married to my wife, Marlene, for 37 years. We have four adult children and three grandchildren. We have lived in Pima County for 33 years.