Sheriff Handling Nancy Guthrie Disappearance Case Hit With No Confidence Vote As Deputies Demand Resignation

A strange yet foreseeable incident has unfolded in the Nancy Guthrie case. Chris Nanos, the Pima County Sheriff, has received a unanimous no confidence vote from subordinates within his own department.

One might assume the motion came as no breakthrough has yet been achieved in the case even after 53 days of investigation. That was not the case. Nanos reportedly faced harsh criticism for his history of extensive disciplinary actions and the police union shared a public statement calling for his resignation.

In an official post on the Pima County Deputy’s Organization’s (PCDO) Facebook page, the department announced that it held a unanimous vote of no confidence against Nanos. The organization, made up of more than 300 members, called for his resignation over his “extensive disciplinary actions.”

The records highlighted the time he served at the El Paso Police Department between 1976 and 1982. During that period, he was suspended on eight separate occasions, amounting to 37 days of suspension without pay. The suspensions stemmed from a range of issues, including illegal gambling, discharging his firearm and improper use of a siren; the reasons kept piling up.

Ultimately, he resigned in 1982 in lieu of termination, with “insubordination” and “consistent inefficiency” listed as the primary causes for his departure. The statement showcased concern over the “documented issues” that were not shared when he applied as a Correction Officer with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD).

The statement raised serious concerns about leadership fitness and set a troubling precedent for the department. It added, “Deputies cannot serve effectively under leadership with such a history of repeated disciplinary problems, considering it is unlikely he would have been certified as a peace officer in Arizona if it was properly disclosed.”

The same statement by the PCDO questioned the integrity of a law enforcement officer and the hiring process of the PCSD. Consequently, the unanimous vote of no confidence rejects Nanos’ leadership, in parallel to his concealed disciplinary issues.

Hence, they have called on him to resign from his position to immediately restore “trust, accountability and operational effectiveness” within the department. The PCDO urged Nanos to step down without delay, arguing that his leadership would jeopardize public safety, departmental morale and the credibility of Pima County.

As per a separate report from NewsNation, Sgt. Aaron Cross, the president of the union, told county supervisors that Nanos' actions make him unfit to wear a badge. He added that Nanos’ actions had “lost the faith of his deputies and the community.” Cross continued that if Nanos does not step down voluntarily, his superiors should force him to step down.

Nevertheless, criticism has also focused on how Nanos has handled Nancy's case. The 84-year-old's kidnapping has become a national issue, keeping her family on edge, as they worry about her wellbeing. If Nanos resigns, it will be crucial to see who fills in for him and how that person handles Nancy's case.