PHOENIX (Arizona) – The Sheriff Joe Arpaio, self-proclaimed “the most severe in America” ​​was kicked out by voters in Phoenix, Arizona on Tuesday. Paul Penzone, a former policeman aligned with the Democrats, will be the new head of a police force stained with racism by chief Arpaio, who promoted the hunt for illegal immigrants. The agents could stop anyone just for skin color to ask for documents.

On Tuesday, at eight o’clock in the morning, Penzone visited a local of the hospitality sector in the city. The majority of those present were Hispanic. On that occasion he said: “I will treat your families as I would like mine to be treated. Enough identification by race”.

Arpaio had been in office for 23 years. This is the “most evil person I’ve known in my life,” said Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton.

In a conversation with El Pais, Penzone explained that after retiring from the Phoenix police, where he remained for 21 years, he had not planned to return to service. “But when you see a person who abuses his authority and has no respect for the community he needs to serve, you have to make a decision. I never go and ask someone to stand on the firing line for me, since I have the papers in order, the passion and the ability to put myself at the service “.

Penzone’s victory is a consequence of the increasing mobilization of the Latin vote in a state in which 30% of the population and 20% of the electorate weigh. Moreover, Phoenix and the state of Maricopa are becoming more and more democratic. “The growth of the Hispanic community is significant, but it is necessary to begin to consider ourselves a single community, this is what makes the United States great, our diversity”, Penzone reflected, hours before he knew of his victory. “Having the power to influence an election in a positive way so that they respect you and treat you with equality is a responsibility. I see the opportunity for the Hispanic community to influence correctly and I hope that Arizona is the first place where this will occur “.

The fact that a progressive and different city like Phoenix continues to vote Arpaio is explained by the white and conservative suburbs that surround it, explains Penzone. The rise of Arpaio is due, he believes, to the fact that “initially it had given voice to the security forces in an era in which they were very conservative in the relationship with the public”.

“He converted to something charismatic, but he was more a character than a leader. His leadership was that of fear, fear for an ogre from which he protected us,” says Penzone. “But his words never corresponded to his actions. I believe that people want to see integrity and professionalism, and are tired of inactivity, rhetoric and nonsense.”

Arpaio, who attended meetings with Trump and was an inspiration for his anti-immigrant rhetoric, took this character so far that he was denounced by a federal court last month for contempt. The sheriff has consciously disobeyed judicial orders to stop all attacks against the Latins for the race.

In the restaurant union of the gastronomic sector they divided t-shirts and signs with the slogan “Adios Arpaio”. No one like Felix Trejo, 20, represents the power of Hispanics insulted by Arpaio and Donald Trump. In 2009, Arpaio’s agents arrested his father for no apparent reason and discovered an unpaid road fine. He had no documents. They put him in jail and he was deported. Arpaio’s anti-immigrant fury has meant that people “go only from work at home and from home to work”, to avoid risks. Tuesday, Felix Trejo, took his revenge. He voted for the first time and did so, along with thousands of others, to hunt Arpaio.