Arizona Republican gubernatorial nominee Kari Lake spoke at a press conference Thursday in support of Arizona police.
“I want these men and women behind me to know that on your darkest day, on your toughest day, when you’re in the middle of that storm, I will be standing right there by you as your governor,” Lake said. “I will not step away. I will not waiver. I will support you until you have due process. That’s what these men and women deserve.”
Lake shared that Arizona crime is rising as police departments face staff shortages. To solve the problems plaguing Arizona, Lake said her goal would be to fill up police departments around the state to capacity. For starters, Lake would increase pay for police officers to become more competitive with other states.
Lake shared that it costs over $200,000 to train a Department of Public Safety (DPS) trooper, but troopers leave for a higher wage in another state. According to Zippia, Arizona is ranked 25 when comparing the average police officer salary by state at around $50,130, worse than neighboring states Colorado, Nevada, and California.
Other pro-police policies Lake outlined include protecting qualified immunity for troopers, removing the mandatory increase to the retirement age, and ending the civilian review board.
“Yes, I said it,” Lake said. “Anybody who is going to be judging our officers must have experience to make those judgments. No more activist-led boards. We want people on boards who understand what it means to be a police officer.”
When it comes to judging the police, Lake also called on the media to stop anti-police agendas and show support for those who protect Arizona’s streets.
“Every time one of our brave men and women in law enforcement makes a human mistake, and it happens,” Lake said. “The media turns on them and is the judge and jury. It’s wrong.”
Lake also took time at the event to blast her Democrat opponent, Katie Hobbs, for previous anti-police behavior, such as being a Black Lives Matter activist during the “Summer of Love,” before allegedly scrubbing it from her social media.
"During the Summer of Love, @katiehobbs was a BLM activist. She tried to scrub that from her social media profile. I don't think you guys have reported that."
– @KariLake pic.twitter.com/KkhWCVDafI
— Kari Lake War Room (@KariLakeWarRoom) September 16, 2022
Hobbs has also received an endorsement from Planned Parenthood (PP), which requires Arizona candidates to reject contributions from law enforcement organizations to receive the endorsement. PP has also openly supported defunding the police.
Fox News reported that the Arizona Police Association sent a letter to Hobbs Tuesday demanding that she condemn any organization she is endorsed by that promotes defunding the police. Hobbs has yet to comply with the letter’s request.
Moreover, Republican Arizona attorney general nominee and fellow Trump-endorsee, Abe Hamadeh, also spoke at the press conference and said journalists seek to divide the country following a question from a reporter about people of color who feel targeted by police.
“Law enforcement is made up of our community. Of course, they have a vested interest in keeping our community safe, and they’re not targeting people based off race. This is a lie that’s been perpetuated by the media and by members of these organizations, and why you keep bringing this up is that you seek to further divide our country,” said Hamadeh. “But look around us. These brave men and women, do they look like racists to you? No. They’re members of our community, and it’s time we treat them with respect.”
BIG MISTAKE: Reporter claims People of Color are "TARGETED" by Police@KariLake: “Every Arizonan wants safety & security in their neighborhood. It doesn’t matter what your skin color is.”@AbrahamHamadeh: "Do these these brave Men & Women look like racists to you?"
WATCH & RT! pic.twitter.com/TplhIIrLsX
— Kari Lake (@KariLake) September 16, 2022
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Neil Jones is a reporter for The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Neil on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Kari Lake” by The Kari Lake.
