Joseph Michael Arpaio is an American former law enforcement officer and politician, widely known for his 24-year tenure as the Sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, from 1993 to 2017. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and a veteran of the U.S. Army, Arpaio began his career in law enforcement as a police officer in Washington D.C. before serving as a federal agent for the Bureau of Narcotics and later the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). He also held positions as Chief of Police in Dolton and Willow Springs, Illinois. During his time as sheriff, Arpaio gained national notoriety as 'America's Toughest Sheriff' due to his controversial policies, including the establishment of 'Tent City' for inmates, mandatory pink underwear, and a hardline stance on crime and immigration enforcement. His policies and practices led to numerous lawsuits, federal investigations, and accusations of racial profiling and civil rights abuses. He has been a vocal supporter of anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim policies. Arpaio's career was marked by significant legal challenges, culminating in a federal conviction for criminal contempt of court in 2017 for defying a judge's order to stop immigration patrols. He was later pardoned by President Donald Trump. Arpaio has maintained a prominent, albeit controversial, public profile even after leaving office, continuing to run for various political positions.