HISTORY

The Ft. McDowell Yavapai community was created by Executive Order on September 15, 1903. The United States Cavalry provided some policing, but most tribes during this era policed themselves by either taking the life of a serious offender or banishing them from the tribe.

During the middle of the century Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) contract officers began providing police services in Fort McDowell. Because Fort McDowell was a fairly small community, the BIA officers would come from a larger nearby reservation.

In the early 1970’s, the BIA established its first police station in Ft. McDowell with BIA officers. The BIA continued to provide police services until the early 1980’s when the first Tribal Officers began patrolling the reservation. Due to funding issues, the Tribal Officers lasted only a short period of time before the tribe went back to the BIA for police protection.

In the early to mid 1990’s the tribe again began using a few tribal officers along with BIA officers for their 24 hours seven days a week protection.
In 1997 the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation established their very own Police Department. Using some profits/income from the Fort McDowell Casino, the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation started funding public safety. In May 1997, the nation conducted a mass hiring of police officers. The Police Department started with 23 sworn Arizona Post-certified officers to provide around the clock coverage.
At first, this was a shock to the community. They were used to seeing only 1 or 2 officers in any 24-hour period. However, it didn’t take long for the community to accept the new officers because these officers were dedicated to making the community a safer place and improving the quality of life within the community.
Currently the department has  22 sworn personnel. Due to economic conditions the department had to make a slight reduction in staffing levels.  But the department’s main focus continues to be keeping the community safe and improving the quality of life for all who live in the community by staying actively involved with the nation and partnering with its various departments.

In 2005, a new Public Safety Building was built for  the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.  The new Public Safety Building consolidated a number of departments to allow for better cooperation and communication, including the Police and Fire Department, Prosecutor’s Office, Probation Office and the Fort McDowell Tribal Court.