by Kevin Tripp/KTAR (February 22nd)

Dueling police endorsements for Sen. John McCain and former Congressman J.D. Hayworth, who is challenging McCain in the Republican primary.

The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, which represents thousands of police officers, threw its support Monday to Hayworth.

The candidate said he and the police union share strong opposition to one hot-button issue.

"Illegal immigration is a flashpoint in the city of Phoenix -- which sadly seems to take on so many aspects of a sanctuary city-- and really stands in the way of these law enforcement professionals doing their job," said Hayworth.

The Arizona Fraternal Order of Police threw its support behind McCain.

"Senator John McCain is a leader of integrity, character, and courage, whose record of supporting Arizona's law enforcement community is unmatched," said Arizona Fraternal Order of Police President Bryan Soller in a press release.

Meanwhile, two past presidents and six past board members of PLEA endorsed McCain.

PLEA past presidents Jake Jacobsen and Terry Sills said in a joint statement, "Senator McCain helped lead the fight to secure the critically important radio band frequencies for law enforcement when others were lobbying to sell them to for-profit companies. It was Senator McCain who helped secure legislation to prevent Internet access to personal information of those in public safety. Many police officers are veterans and Senator McCain has worked diligently to improve benefits and services for those who not only served our country in the military but now protect their fellow citizens in law enforcement."

Hayworth, who has the support of current PLEA President Mark Spencer, said illegal immigration is not the only concern of police officers.

"As I have sat down with the leadership and the rank-and-file of Phoenix law enforcement, really it is all said in that description of their profession -- they are about law enforcement, enforcing all of the laws."