Matthew Casey/KJZZ

Paul Penzone

Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone announced that he will step down in January and will not pursue a third term. At a press conference Monday afternoon, Penzone said he also wants to “serve the public in different ways."

“In law enforcement, I think that you always have to have the plan to go in and make as much impact as you can in the period of time that is appropriate,” said Penzone. “And then clear the way for someone else to come in and improve on that.”

County spokesperson Fields Moseley told KJZZ News that the Board of Supervisors will determine the process to fill Penzone’s position for the remaining year of his term.

"In the past, they have accepted letters of interest, resumes, letters of recommendation, and asked applicants to fill out a questionnaire," Moseley said. "Then they brought candidates in for interviews."

Moseley also noted that "the board determines the process, and there have been variations on this over the past five years. "