Tribal Police Department

Our Mission & Purpose:

Under the direction of Morongo’s Tribal Members, Tribal Council, and the Office of Emergency Services, the Morongo Tribal Police Department’s purpose is to serve the community. To that end, our objective is to safeguard Tribal members, residents, visitors, patrons, and employees of the Morongo Indian Reservation, and to protect all Tribal property, including that of historical and cultural significance.

Through a collaborative partnership with the people of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, we preserve a safe and secure environment for all who live, work, and visit the Reservation and its many offices and enterprises.

It is our obligation and privilege to serve with honesty, integrity, and respect to ensure that everyone we encounter feels valued and protected.

The Department’s History:

The first Tribal Reservation Patrol Department was formed in 1998 and consisted of four Reservation patrol officers.  This team of four was a concept created by the Department’s founding officer, Mike Levine, who was originally tasked to guard Reservation cattle from outside rustlers.  As Tribal needs grew on the 54 square-mile Reservation, so did the need for a formal police agency.  In 2020, the Morongo Tribal Police Department was formed following a Tribal Council Resolution and is now widely recognized in the region as the formal police department for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians to enforce Tribal ordinances. 

The Morongo Tribal Police Department has over 80 sworn and professional staff that serve numerous key functions within the Department.  These include, but are not limited to, Patrol Operations, Dispatch/Communications, Enterprise Security, Investigations, Traffic, Tribal Court Services, Special Events, and Emergency Operations.  We’ve established excellent and long-lasting partnerships with the Riverside and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Departments, the Banning Police Department, the Beaumont Police Department, the California Highway Patrol, and numerous other public safety partners including the many Tribal organizations in Southern California.

All Tribal police officers have graduated from a recognized police academy, certified by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) or equivalent state and/or federal academy.

Every Department member has an obligation to the community we serve to develop and maintain the highest ethical standards in all official conduct and provide everyone with unsurpassed excellence in customer service.