SRPD History

At the establishment of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC), law enforcement was under the authority of the Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). In later years, law enforcement was under the direction of the BIA Area Agency Criminal Investigator.

In 1963, the SRPMIC Council appointed the BIA Criminal Investigator as Tribal Police Commissioner. The duties of the Tribal Police Commissioner were to assist in organizing a Tribal Police Force to include training and administration.

In 1967, the SRPMIC assumed full control of the law and order program. The BIA Law Enforcement Officer positions were abolished and the Tribal Police Department was first established. The first police shoulder patch was designed by Officer Harrison W. Rhoades.

Starting in 1972, all Salt River Police Officers attended a state police academy and upon graduation were state certified peace officers.

In 1975, the Salt River Tribal Police Department was responsible for both police operations and jail operations.

In 1980, Salt River Tribal Police Department changed names to the Salt River Department of Public Safety.

In 1992, the Salt River Tribal Police Department began training their detectives to become certified through the BIA with a Deputy Special Officer (DSO) Commission to investigate and submit federal cases directly with the United States Attorney's Office (USAO).

In 1994, the Salt River Tribal Police Department's Officers were submitting federal cases directly to the United States Attorney's Office (USAO) without any BIA or FBI assistance.

In 1999, Salt River Department of Public Safety changed names to the Salt River Police Department (SRPD).

February 16, 2000, the SRPMIC Council established the Salt River Department of Corrections (SRDOC) which was empowered with the full authority and responsibilities of operating the community jail operations.

November 4, 2008, SRPD became full member partners in the East Valley Gang and Criminal Information Fusion Center.

Salt River Chiefs of Police