Sheriff Paul Penzone to disband Cold Case Posse that investigated Obama birth certificate

Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone announced Thursday that he is disbanding his predecessor's Cold Case Posse, a controversial non-profit whose chief claim to fame was investigating outgoing President Barack Obama's birth certificate.

Penzone outlined his 100-Day Plan for the department at a news conference Thursday at the downtown Phoenix headquarters. The plan lays out priorities from the beginning of the year through April 13.

"Ultimately in the first 100 days, I want to establish an attitude in this organization that stems from pride and respect and appreciation as much as it stands for unity and collective resources that come together for one service," he said.

Penzone said members of the Cold Case Posse would receive notification starting Thursday that the outfit is shutting down. In some cases, he said, members can apply for jobs in other posses.

The Cold Case Posse began investigating Obama's birth certificate in 2011 amid questions about whether Obama was born in Hawaii or Africa. The accusations have been debunked, but the posse continued to investigate for five years, funding itself through membership dues and private donations.

Despite the Cold Case Posse closure, Penzone said his commitment to other volunteer posses "remains steadfast."

Other issues Penzone is looking at:

The fate of Tent City remains up in the air. Former Sheriff Joe Arpaio declined to close the outdoor jail detention center even though it is largely vacant, other jails are operating below capacity and the savings could have gone toward officer raises.

Penzone said former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods will chair an executive advisory board of citizens to make a recommendation.

"The cost efficiency of the jail has likely diminished" since it was opened, Penzone said, but "it's going to be a data-driven decision."

Woods said the committee will focus on whether Tent City serves a legitimate public-safety purpose and whether it is an appropriate taxpayer expense. He hopes to reach a recommendation within 100 days.

"If it needs to operate exactly as it does now, then fine. If it needs to be changed, it can be changed," Woods said. "If it needs to be closed, I personally have no hesitation in recommending that it be closed as quickly as possible. We don't come in with any particular bias, except nothing is sacred, certainly not that place."

Penzone will create three citizen advisory boards to represent the African-American, Hispanic, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. Research and advice on best practices could come from experts at Arizona State University, an initiative President Michael Crow is enthusiastic about, Penzone said.

Another advisory board will examine use-of-force incidents involving officers. In addition, an internal "rapid review process" will look at errors or training gaps revealed by use-of-force episodes.

There will be no immediate changes to the abused-animal shelter, known as the MASH Unit.

"I believe wholeheartedly in a commitment to adopt animals out and not euthanize them," the sheriff said, adding that he wants input from animal advocates on the shelter's future.

Penzone reiterated other priorities:

• Restoring trust with the community, courts and law-enforcement agencies.
• Meeting the requirements of the federal court monitor in a racial-profiling lawsuit.
• Supporting detention officers, including salary increases and reinstating a special response team for jail unrest.
• Addressing the opioid epidemic.
• Solving and preventing crimes against children.
• Apprehending fugitives.
• Combating elder fraud.
• Training officers to deal with people with mental-health issues.
• Educating teens about avoiding crime through videos and social media.

When asked about keeping inmates in pink underwear as Arpaio famously did, Penzone bristled. He said that decision is far down the list of priorities.

​Executive advisory committee members:

Grant Woods, former Arizona attorney general

Linda Elliot, OnenTen

Victor Flores, Arizona-Mexico Commission

Lydia Guzman, Chicanos Por La Causa

Ann Hart, NAACP

Will Humble, University of Arizona

Jonathan Koppell, Arizona State University

Pat McGroder, Gallagher and Kennedy

Mary Kim Titla, United National Indian Tribal Youth Inc.

David Udall, Udall Shumway

Lisa Urias, Urias Communications

Mike Watts, Sunstate Equipment

Jason Wong, Asian Corporate & Entrepreneur Leaders

Contact reporter Rebekah L. Sanders at rebekah.sanders@arizonarepublic.com and 602-444-8096.