The Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) is a key law enforcement agency serving the unincorporated areas of Pima County, Arizona, the seventh largest county in the United States. Headquartered at 1650 E. Benson Hwy, Tucson, Arizona, the department operates six district offices and three satellite offices, providing a range of services to ensure public safety and community well-being. Led by Sheriff Chris Nanos, who was elected in 2020 and brings over four decades of law enforcement experience, the PCSD employs approximately 516 sworn officers, 872 civilian and corrections personnel, and is supported by over 400 volunteers.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pima_County_Sheriff%27s_Department)[](https://pimasheriff.org/about-us/organization)
The department’s mission emphasizes serving with honor, courage, and integrity while fostering community safety through advanced community policing and direct supervision of detention facilities. PCSD’s operations include patrol services, criminal investigations (focusing on violent crimes, sex crimes, and narcotics interdiction), and a Corrections Bureau managing four facilities that house an average of 1,850 inmates daily. The department maintains a rapid emergency response time, averaging 4.3 minutes for 90% of emergencies and 5.3 minutes overall.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pima_County_Sheriff%27s_Department)[](https://www.linkedin.com/company/pima-county-sheriff%25E2%2580%2599s-department)
PCSD is a leader in innovative law enforcement practices, having established the Pima County/Tucson Metropolitan Counter Narcotics Alliance and the first Border Crime Unit, a multi-agency task force addressing illegal human and drug trafficking. The department also pioneered mandatory drug testing, including hair testing, for employees and applicants. Additionally, PCSD operates a regional Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy, established in 2006, which trains deputies and officers from various local agencies and the U.S. Air Force. The department has implemented Advanced Crisis Intervention Training (C.I.T.) for its personnel and oversees an interoperable regional public safety communications system, supported by a $92 million bond.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pima_County_Sheriff%27s_Department)
Community engagement is a cornerstone of PCSD’s approach, with programs like child safety seat inspections, neighborhood watch, Dispose-A-Med, document shredding, fingerprint services, Rape Aggression Defense classes, and the Badges and Backpacks initiative. The department also manages civil enforcement, including serving court orders and collecting delinquent property taxes, and provides victim services in collaboration with the Pima County Attorney’s Office.[](https://www.mapquest.com/us/arizona/pima-county-sheriff-department-262234213)[](https://pimasheriff.org/services/civil-enforcement)[](https://pimasheriff.org/about-us/community-partners)
The PCSD oversees the Pima County Adult Detention Complex and Ajo District Jail, offering inmate services such as visitation, phone, and tablet access, and maintains a state-of-the-art records system for public access to inmate and police reports. The department’s commitment to transparency is evident through its online Desk Officer Reporting System (DORS) for non-emergency incidents and an inmate roster respecting the rights of the accused.[](https://pimasheriff.org/crime-map-stats/dors)[](https://www.pimasheriff.org/jail-info/pima-county-jail)
With a focus on professionalism, accountability, and community partnerships, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department continues to innovate in crime prevention, public safety, and detention management, making it a vital institution in Pima County.[](https://www.linkedin.com/company/pima-county-sheriff%25E2%2580%2599s-department)
The department used to be what is listed above. Sadly, no longer. The “leadership” is comprised of incompetent ass kissers that have absolutely destroyed the place. Morale is at an all time low. Staffing is terrible and filled with poorly trained deputies that they rushed through the academy. The changes made and upcoming changes are because of a beta male Sheriff and Chief. They can’t keep any knowledgeable deputies or Sgts, who retire early or lateral to another department. People are promoted for friendships or by throwing others under the bus. I could go on forever but why has it gotten this bad? Chris Nanos. He is completely incompetent. Nearly every word out of his mouth is a lie. In public, he seems like a soft spoken man with a big heart. Couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, he is a short tempered, incompetent, angry little man. He and his cronies attack anyone with dissenting opinions, making up erroneous investigations on people with differing opinions, and even claiming unfounded criminal acts on political opponents. They violate their employees rights and couldn’t care less how it effects them. Only thing he (and they) care about is power. Damn shame.
1. Leadership/Admin
Unfit Deputies/Detectives are being appointed as Sergeants. I don’t feel comfortable at all expressing my frustrations with this department without fear of retaliation. Nanos has no clue who his deputies are and fails to lead from the front, completely failing the department.
2. The great deputies/detectives are the only sense of morale within this department.
3. There’s barely enough vehicles for patrol.
4. Senior Deputies are either leaving to DPS due to Department retention failure, or promoting which hurts patrol, leaving 3 year Deputies being seniors in busy districts.
7/18/25
The department, under current Sheriff Chris Nanos, is a corrupt mess, despite the shiny social media. Previous sheriffs, specifically Clarence Dupnik, created an amazing agency that was loved and respected. The deputies still do a great job in spite of command, but they are under constant threat of retaliation, suspension, and abuse from their superiors.
Nanos promoted the worst, most incompetent people in the department as his chiefs and captains in 2020 and they immediately began purging their “enemies” from influential positions, despite the fact that they were the best leaders and instructors in the department. Deputies are routinely punished for doing their jobs, even if they don’t violate policy, if a commander just doesn’t like how they did it. If a deputy is even RUMORED to have said something mildly critical of command, he/she will be stripped of any special assignments and transferred to an unfavorable position. Discipline is given out left and right.
Nanos has been Federally investigated, had a previous chief indicted federally, another commit suicide before he could be indicted, a sergeant friend sentenced to prison for raping a deputy, and is now being sued and investigated by the state for improper investigation/cover up. He is the worst sheriff in Arizona.
Deputies are currently fleeing the agency to other departments or retiring as soon as possible. The academy has been reduced to a non-stress cakewalk and anyone with a heartbeat and driver’s license is being hired to fill the gaps. They are then being trained by brand-new FTO’s with less than 5 years of experience. Units are being run by brand new sergeants with no experience in that area.
They have a large Community Resources Unit whose sole job is to make him look good to the public and media, but if you scratch the surface, the rot is easy to see. One needs only to speak with a deputy on patrol to find out.
Combined with some of the lowest pay in the Tucson area, this agency is a disaster and getting worse every week. Do not come here. You have been warned.
1. Leadership- I have worked for this department for 18.5 years and worked under two other sheriffs (Dupnik & Napier). Nanos has to be the worst law enforcement leader in the state. The people he placed in positions of authority over the line level are just as bad. Deputies and Sgt’s are always on edge because unofficial punishment, a good ol boy system, corruption are rampant. During the sheriff’s election I personally was removed from a position due to having a similar and non political suggestion that Lt. Lappin had regarding some minor SOP/ clerical meeting. Nanos has shut down entire units just to protect his political image.
2. Moral- I can count on one hand the number of lieutenants and only 2 captains who are actually good leaders that line staff could legitimately approach for help, advice, mentoring, or ask questions without fear. However, moral is the worst I have seen it in my career. The academy is forced adjust standards for unfit hires, while experienced deputies and detectives are punished for minor issues, such as sarcasm to a suspect who is using slurs, threatening the deputy and his family. There is one female deputy that has been fired 3 times for failure to meet probation standards due to cowardice, placing other deputies in danger, lying in reports and to the Sgt’s. She has been hired back 4 times and is now on the streets.
I was told several times by a lieutenant (now a captain) that I needed to put the department before my family, and that he didn’t care if I didn’t have childcare I needed to come in, even when I’m not on call. Same Lt. told a male deputy that his wife didn’t need him at home after their child had been born and he needed to come to work.
3. Recourses/Equip. – recourses and equipment leave a lot to be desired. We have new drones that like 5 people can fly, and the new trucks are my favorite vehicle since the crown vic. My rifle however is heavy and nearly 25 years old, anytime we need replacement gear our supply staff can only give us gear that is so old that it too has to be replaced in a month or two. I have had to go out and buy my own flashlight, belt, traffic cones, batteries, and even extra armor.
4. Staffing- We have a lot of deputies who are 5-7 years on. Most (not all) don’t take the job seriously and put very little effort in to a call for service. When we FTOs say something, we get shut down and ignored. Academies used to be full of great candidates with one or two poor ones. Now we get a whole bunch of poor candidates and 2-5 good ones.
Most senior deputies are leaving the career field completely, going to other agencies, or retiring early.
Rating Breakdown
1/5
1.5/5
3/5
1.8/5
4 Reviews on “Pima County Sheriff's Department”
The department used to be what is listed above. Sadly, no longer. The “leadership” is comprised of incompetent ass kissers that have absolutely destroyed the place. Morale is at an all time low. Staffing is terrible and filled with poorly trained deputies that they rushed through the academy. The changes made and upcoming changes are because of a beta male Sheriff and Chief. They can’t keep any knowledgeable deputies or Sgts, who retire early or lateral to another department. People are promoted for friendships or by throwing others under the bus. I could go on forever but why has it gotten this bad? Chris Nanos. He is completely incompetent. Nearly every word out of his mouth is a lie. In public, he seems like a soft spoken man with a big heart. Couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, he is a short tempered, incompetent, angry little man. He and his cronies attack anyone with dissenting opinions, making up erroneous investigations on people with differing opinions, and even claiming unfounded criminal acts on political opponents. They violate their employees rights and couldn’t care less how it effects them. Only thing he (and they) care about is power. Damn shame.
1. Leadership/Admin
Unfit Deputies/Detectives are being appointed as Sergeants. I don’t feel comfortable at all expressing my frustrations with this department without fear of retaliation. Nanos has no clue who his deputies are and fails to lead from the front, completely failing the department.
2. The great deputies/detectives are the only sense of morale within this department.
3. There’s barely enough vehicles for patrol.
4. Senior Deputies are either leaving to DPS due to Department retention failure, or promoting which hurts patrol, leaving 3 year Deputies being seniors in busy districts.
7/18/25
The department, under current Sheriff Chris Nanos, is a corrupt mess, despite the shiny social media. Previous sheriffs, specifically Clarence Dupnik, created an amazing agency that was loved and respected. The deputies still do a great job in spite of command, but they are under constant threat of retaliation, suspension, and abuse from their superiors.
Nanos promoted the worst, most incompetent people in the department as his chiefs and captains in 2020 and they immediately began purging their “enemies” from influential positions, despite the fact that they were the best leaders and instructors in the department. Deputies are routinely punished for doing their jobs, even if they don’t violate policy, if a commander just doesn’t like how they did it. If a deputy is even RUMORED to have said something mildly critical of command, he/she will be stripped of any special assignments and transferred to an unfavorable position. Discipline is given out left and right.
Nanos has been Federally investigated, had a previous chief indicted federally, another commit suicide before he could be indicted, a sergeant friend sentenced to prison for raping a deputy, and is now being sued and investigated by the state for improper investigation/cover up. He is the worst sheriff in Arizona.
Deputies are currently fleeing the agency to other departments or retiring as soon as possible. The academy has been reduced to a non-stress cakewalk and anyone with a heartbeat and driver’s license is being hired to fill the gaps. They are then being trained by brand-new FTO’s with less than 5 years of experience. Units are being run by brand new sergeants with no experience in that area.
They have a large Community Resources Unit whose sole job is to make him look good to the public and media, but if you scratch the surface, the rot is easy to see. One needs only to speak with a deputy on patrol to find out.
Combined with some of the lowest pay in the Tucson area, this agency is a disaster and getting worse every week. Do not come here. You have been warned.
1. Leadership- I have worked for this department for 18.5 years and worked under two other sheriffs (Dupnik & Napier). Nanos has to be the worst law enforcement leader in the state. The people he placed in positions of authority over the line level are just as bad. Deputies and Sgt’s are always on edge because unofficial punishment, a good ol boy system, corruption are rampant. During the sheriff’s election I personally was removed from a position due to having a similar and non political suggestion that Lt. Lappin had regarding some minor SOP/ clerical meeting. Nanos has shut down entire units just to protect his political image.
2. Moral- I can count on one hand the number of lieutenants and only 2 captains who are actually good leaders that line staff could legitimately approach for help, advice, mentoring, or ask questions without fear. However, moral is the worst I have seen it in my career. The academy is forced adjust standards for unfit hires, while experienced deputies and detectives are punished for minor issues, such as sarcasm to a suspect who is using slurs, threatening the deputy and his family. There is one female deputy that has been fired 3 times for failure to meet probation standards due to cowardice, placing other deputies in danger, lying in reports and to the Sgt’s. She has been hired back 4 times and is now on the streets.
I was told several times by a lieutenant (now a captain) that I needed to put the department before my family, and that he didn’t care if I didn’t have childcare I needed to come in, even when I’m not on call. Same Lt. told a male deputy that his wife didn’t need him at home after their child had been born and he needed to come to work.
3. Recourses/Equip. – recourses and equipment leave a lot to be desired. We have new drones that like 5 people can fly, and the new trucks are my favorite vehicle since the crown vic. My rifle however is heavy and nearly 25 years old, anytime we need replacement gear our supply staff can only give us gear that is so old that it too has to be replaced in a month or two. I have had to go out and buy my own flashlight, belt, traffic cones, batteries, and even extra armor.
4. Staffing- We have a lot of deputies who are 5-7 years on. Most (not all) don’t take the job seriously and put very little effort in to a call for service. When we FTOs say something, we get shut down and ignored. Academies used to be full of great candidates with one or two poor ones. Now we get a whole bunch of poor candidates and 2-5 good ones.
Most senior deputies are leaving the career field completely, going to other agencies, or retiring early.