The Ins and You're-Outs; State Board With Close Ties to Landlord Group Oversees Constables who Serve Eviction Writs
When renters are evicted, constables deliver the court orders - sought by landlords - that demand the tenants move out. But the board that trains and disciplines Arizona's elected constables has close ties to the most powerful landlord group in the state.
John Pelissero, senior scholar at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University, said the fact that the consulting firm also represents landlords can cause an appearance of a conflict, which can be as damaging as an actual conflict.
He said the state should consider adopting policies that would prohibit firms from winning state contracts to manage boards or agencies if they also work with entities that will interact with those boards or agencies.
"Minimally, you want to do everything to avoid the appearance that you're not acting in the public interest," said Pelissero.
John Pelissero, senior scholar, quoted by The Arizona Republic.