Sheriff Arpaio invites Rev. Al Sharpton to undergo use of force scenario

Law enforcement officers face danger every day. FOX 10 had the opportunity this week to take a well-known valley activist who is critical of police through a use of force drill with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

That story went viral online, and now Sheriff Joe wants to take it even further. He's asked what some say is the best known minority-rights leader in the country to come to Arizona and take part in the same use of force drill.

Rev. Jarrett Maupin went from leading a protest against police to walking a mile in their shoes, taking part in a shoot/don't shoot scenario with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

"I feel like you need to comply," said Maupin after a drill.

The story went viral and has been viewed over a million times online. Sheriff Joe Arpaio says he wants to spread the message even further, by inviting what some say is the highest profile, minority-rights leader in the country to go through the same scenarios, Rev. Al Sharpton.

"Let's come on down here, I think you are the prime guy to do this and learn a lesson," said Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Sharpton was here in the valley during the immigration rallies in 2010, marching and speaking, he even met Sheriff Arpaio. FOX 10 wanted to be sure the Sheriff wanted to invite Sharpton here. "Yeah, Al I haven't seen you in a while, we could talk in my office and we'll put you through the scenario. We had two cops who were killed in New York City, assassinated."

To his credit, Rev. Sharpton did not say no to the Sheriff's invitation. We spoke with his director of communications who gave us this statement from the civil rights activist. "Despite our differences on immigration, I am all for working with the Sheriff to try to find some ground on proper policing."

"So why doesn't he come down here and go through the scenario we did a couple of nights ago, it would be good for him to come," said Arpaio.

Rev. Maupin shot an unarmed man in this scenario, you wonder what Rev. Sharpton would do, maybe we'll even get a chance to find out.

Sharpton's people said they wanted to see the story tonight, and then they will make a decision on if they want to come out and go through the scenarios.

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