Pima Sheriff Chris Nanos fixes résumé errors after Arizona Republic report
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star 2026 files
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Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has revised his public résumé following a report from The Arizona Republic that questioned how his early law-enforcement career was described.
According to the newspaper, official records show Nanos left the El Paso Police Department in 1982 after resigning instead of being terminated following disciplinary issues. His résumé had previously indicated that he worked for the department until 1984.
The résumé was updated Tuesday to reflect that Nanos’ employment with the El Paso department ended in 1982. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said the discrepancy was the result of administrative mistakes and was not intentional.
Before the report was published, Nanos declined to answer questions from The Arizona Republic about his past employment. In a comment to the newspaper, he said, “You sure you don’t want to go back to my high school and ask why I got swats from the principal? Good luck with your hit piece.”
A written statement issued Tuesday by the Sheriff’s Department after the article appeared did not address the details reported by the newspaper about Nanos’ disciplinary record in El Paso, where he served from 1976 to 1982.
The Arizona Republic reported that during that period Nanos accumulated 37 days of suspension or unpaid leave. Records cited by the newspaper also show disciplinary actions related to alleged excessive force, an incident involving a fired shot, off-duty gambling, tardiness, failing to report for duty, and other rule violations. He also received written reprimands for dereliction of duty, making threats, and improper use of a police vehicle’s siren. In total, internal affairs documents listed 26 allegations against him over five years.
Despite those past issues, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said Nanos has built a long career in law enforcement marked by professionalism. A department spokeswoman said he leads the agency with experience and integrity while focusing on public safety for Pima County residents.
Nanos, a Democrat who was elected sheriff, has recently drawn national attention while overseeing the investigation into the Feb. 1 disappearance of Nancy Guthrie. The 84-year-old retired University of Arizona communications professional is the mother of NBC “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie.
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