More Capable Lawman: Joe Arpaio or This 100-Year-Old Posse Member?

Above is a photo of Sheriff Joe Arpaio and a 100-year-old member of Arpaio's volunteer "posse."According to a community newspaper, the man, Neal Coffman, "still performs radar duty, checking on vehicles, and reporting speeders to the Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies, who have the authority to issue tickets and warnings. He...

By Matthew Hendley

July 5, 2013

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

Above is a photo of Sheriff Joe Arpaio and a 100-year-old member of Arpaio's volunteer "posse."

According to a community newspaper, the man, Neal Coffman, "still performs radar duty, checking on vehicles, and reporting speeders to the Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies, who have the authority to issue tickets and warnings. He also chairs the board that selects and evaluates candidates for duty officer -- a role in which a Posse member acts as the supervisor for a particular shift."

We can't remember any instances of Arpaio, 81, doing any actual law enforcement -- just media stunts.

He did, however, trip, fall, and break his arm while attempting to walk to lunch one time.

Based on what you know about the two, who do you think is the more capable lawman?

Cast your vote below:

Send feedback and tips to the author.
Follow Matthew Hendley on Twitter at @MatthewHendley.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.