In Arizona’s diverse tribal landscape, accreditation is emerging as a transformative step for tribal law enforcement agencies seeking to bridge tradition and modern policing standards.

Arizona is the only state that includes a specific chapter in its accreditation standards dedicated to Indian Country jurisdiction. In a state where reservations account for more than a quarter of the land area and 18 of the state’s 22 federally recognized tribes operate their own police departments, such standards are vital for ensuring that law enforcement agencies operating within tribal territories are adequately represented and trained.

The working group and review committee that created and maintain these standards ensure it has consistent representation from tribal law enforcement. The voluntary accreditation program can enhance community relations, decrease agencies’ liability, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen partnerships with neighboring jurisdictions. However, navigating the path to accreditation can present distinct challenges for tribal agencies. The Arizona Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ALEAP) offers agencies a structured pathway to overcome these challenges.

The Case for Accreditation

Accreditation ensures a law enforcement agency’s operations align with best practices, enhancing transparency, accountability, and public trust. For tribal agencies, it serves as a powerful tool to combat outdated stereotypes and affirm their professionalism on equal footing with other jurisdictions. Commander Tamatha Villar of the Gila River Police Department explains that accreditation “was a great opportunity to showcase the excellence of our department and to provide our community and executive leadership with the assurance that they are receiving quality law enforcement which meets or exceeds the statewide standards of other law enforcement organizations.”

Tribal agencies face many of the same obstacles to accreditation that other agencies do. For example, limited staffing can make it difficult to dedicate personnel to the time-intensive task of reviewing policies and procedures and making long-overdue updates and revisions. Chief Hilario Tanakeyowma of the Tonto Apache Police Department notes that staffing is “the biggest hurdle” to accreditation. Commander Villar agrees: “Without a dedicated person managing the process, progress can be delayed.”

But other challenges are more unique. Tribal councils may resist initiatives due to a mistrust of outside authorities, often perceiving accreditation programs as attempts to impose “one-size-fits-all” standards that fail to reflect the needs of tribal jurisdictions.

Another significant challenge observed by Chief Tanakeyowma is aligning state accreditation policies with Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) requirements. Tribal agencies must ensure that policies meet or exceed federal standards, necessitating a BIA review to confirm compliance. This additional layer of oversight can create delays and complexities in the accreditation process, necessitating further resources and collaboration. ALEAP has worked to adapt its standards to accommodate these complexities, ensuring tribal agencies can pursue accreditation without compromising their autonomy.

Despite these concerns, the benefits of accreditation can be transformative. Accreditation, Chief Tanakeyowma notes, creates a new culture of professionalism, equipping tribal law enforcement agencies with the tools and resources needed to be recognized as professional organizations that meet both local and national standards. Additionally, it assures communities that their police departments operate transparently and ethically, building trust and promoting engagement between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Navigating Challenges

For many agencies, the initial stages of accreditation involve significant preparation, including policy updates, training, and engaging tribal leaders to secure buy-in. The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Police Department (SRPD), the first tribal agency in Arizona to achieve full accreditation, serves as a model. According to SRPD Commander Alejandro McDaniel, “It’s essential to evaluate your department honestly, identify areas for improvement, and assemble the right team to tackle the process”.

Commander Tamatha Villar offers a tactical approach for effectively managing the accreditation workload: “You need to create a position for an accreditation manager or assign it to someone as their only responsibility until, at least, the self-assessment phase is complete. Once the accreditation has been approved and received, it may be possible to manage with additional responsibilities, but having an accreditation manager is key to a timelier process.”

Some officers mistakenly believe that accreditation dictates specific methods for meeting standards, instead of enabling agencies to establish processes tailored to their own needs and circumstances. A key aspect of supporting agencies seeking buy-in is providing training on accreditation standards, which dispels these misconceptions. Instead, tribal agencies come to understand that accreditation standards are designed to establish foundational policies and procedures that ensure safe and effective operations. Leadership can emphasize how the process respects the autonomy of tribal agencies, establishing a framework for the agency to develop its own protocols. The process also strengthens professionalism and pride in law enforcement operations; Chief Tanakeyowma observes that meeting accreditation standards “starts a new culture of professionalism” within departments.

Building Bridges with the Community

Accreditation provides tribal community members with a tangible demonstration of their police department’s commitment to maintaining high standards of professionalism, safety, and accountability. The SRPD exemplified this during its recent four-year reaccreditation on-site assessment. As part of the process, the SRPD invited community members to a public session with the assessors, independent evaluators sent to review the department's adherence to accreditation standards. This session opened a meaningful dialogue between the assessors and community members. The attending community members, some of whom were uninformed about the accreditation process, were surprised and impressed to see their department being evaluated by outside law enforcement professionals. They asked questions about the assessment and the department’s operations, and the assessors openly discussed their findings. Through this interaction, the community gained valuable insight into the department’s programs, policies, training, and commitment to continuous improvement.

“Community members left feeling like a door to their police department was just opened,” one participant observed, adding that the session promoted a deeper appreciation for SRPD efforts to uphold high standards. Following the assessment, the final report and the commission's feedback were presented to the tribal council. This initiative demonstrated how accreditation can be a powerful tool not only for operational excellence but also for strengthening the bond between police departments and the communities they serve.

Support, Collaboration, and Education

Accreditation not only improves internal operations but also supports stronger external relationships. Accredited agencies report greater collaboration with neighboring jurisdictions, enhanced mutual respect, and increased recognition of their professionalism.

Collaboration between tribal agencies and neighboring accredited law enforcement agencies has been a cornerstone in overcoming hurdles to pursuing accreditation. ALEAP has played a critical role in this effort, with its Tribal Liaison and accredited agencies providing tailored guidance and resources to tribal departments. At the SRPD, Chief Walter Holloway and former Chief Karl Auerbach exemplified this collaborative spirit by welcoming other tribal agencies to learn from their experiences. They shared their policies, operational adjustments, and the tangible benefits that accreditation brought to their department.

Additionally, ALEAP delivers one-on-one, in-person training and educational opportunities for tribal agencies across Arizona. By visiting agencies directly, ALEAP can effectively evaluate both the resources available and the specific areas where assistance is needed, whether from ALEAP itself, other nearby accredited agencies, or the Coalition for Arizona Police Accreditation (CAPA). Commander Tamatha Villar notes, “The support from ALEAP has been invaluable. Reaching out for help to successfully get the process off the ground is crucial. We have faced many hurdles, and the help is there along the way.” ALEAP also holds tribal-specific training and panel discussions at each annual accreditation conference. This personalized approach has created a ripple effect among tribal agencies as tribes see that accreditation does not compromise their sovereignty but instead enhances their ability to serve their communities effectively.

ALEAP strongly encourages networking and along with sharing experiences and best practices. For example, the Tonto Apache Police Department leveraged support from neighboring agencies to address staffing challenges and refine policies. Chief Tanakeyowma notes, “Networking is the biggest key with agencies that are similar in size and productivity. The little things agencies did to adjust change help make decisions or adjustments easier.”

Commander McDaniel points to the structured support within the accreditation community: “The accreditation staff, the in-state accreditation managers, and the outside resource teams and personnel.” These dedicated professionals and networks offer essential guidance and resources to assist agencies through each phase of the accreditation process, from planning to execution.

Overcoming Resistance to Change

Overcoming resistance to change in tribal communities requires intentional, collaborative, and culturally respectful approaches. Engaging tribal leaders and elders is essential to gaining community trust and support. Their involvement ensures that initiatives like accreditation align with tribal cultural and governance values. Chief Tanakeyowma offers this advice: “Get your Tribal Leaders involved, as this will change the stigma of tribes and how governments operate.” This process can and will help leaders look to other departments for a positive change to best suit the community, paving the way for positive transformation.

Respecting tribal sovereignty is also crucial in advancing acceptance. Accreditation must be framed not as a mandate but as a tool to strengthen tribal self-determination and support operational excellence. Tanakeyowma emphasizes the importance of tailoring accreditation standards to respect the unique context of tribal departments, pointing out concerns that “most accreditations are tailored to large agencies or not sensitive” to the needs of tribal police departments. Highlighting the adaptability of accreditation to local needs can reassure communities that these standards enhance, rather than compromise, sovereignty.

Finally, cultural sensitivity must underpin every effort. Tailoring approaches to reflect the unique social and cultural context of the community ensures alignment with its values and priorities, strengthening buy-in and engagement. Together, these strategies—engaging leaders, respecting sovereignty, providing education, advancing partnerships, and prioritizing cultural sensitivity—are essential in overcoming resistance to change and driving meaningful progress.

Self-reflection from leadership and the ability to take an unbiased look at the department are necessary for an effective and successful accreditation process. Commander McDaniel highlights this approach: “I believe you truly have to look yourself in the mirror and have an honest conversation with the leadership team, evaluating the department. Then together answer the question of where you want to be, because your communities deserve an excellent department. Regardless of where you are at as a department, the accreditation process itself will help you identify areas of improvement; however, you have to have grit, willingness to put in the necessary work, and the right personnel to make your department better. Having a sole accreditation manager that does not wear multiple hats is not a requirement but almost should be because this will elevate the process and your department.” This perspective has proven successful for the Salt River Police Department, now entering its fifth year of accreditation.

Funding Opportunities for Accreditation

ALEAP encourages agencies to explore the funding opportunities provided through COPS Office grants. Although receiving grant funding is not a guarantee, tribal law enforcement agencies should consider applying. Funding opportunities under the Supporting Law Enforcement Agencies in Seeking Accreditation program provide multiple awards to cover costs associated with obtaining accreditation. Information on potential new funding opportunities can be found on the COPS Office Law Enforcement Accreditation Resources page.

COPS Office grant funding has allowed ALEAP to offer critical resources to support four tribal law enforcement agencies on their path to accreditation, including accreditation training for tribal agency personnel, technical assistance with policy development, financial assistance to eliminate accreditation-related fees, the assignment of a dedicated ALEAP Tribal Agency Liaison, and technology support to streamline the process. This pilot program also includes an evaluation to assess the program’s effectiveness, efficiency, feasibility, and sustainability. The insights gained will enable ALEAP to share resources such as standard templates, checklists, and best practices to assist other accreditation bodies in replicating the model.

Looking Ahead

With 574 federally recognized American Indian tribes and Alaska Native entities across the United States, covering more than 56 million acres of land, it is imperative for state and national accrediting bodies to integrate standards that reflect the unique aspects of Indian Country jurisdictions. Training opportunities for state agencies on these standards should also be prioritized, as the substantial size of tribal lands makes this knowledge essential for effective and inclusive law enforcement.

As more tribal agencies in Arizona pursue accreditation, they contribute to a growing movement that underscores the professionalism and capability of tribal law enforcement. These efforts set a national standard, demonstrating that accreditation is not about relinquishing sovereignty but about embracing excellence.

By encouraging accrediting bodies to adopt inclusive standards and expand educational opportunities, the law enforcement community can build a broader understanding of tribal jurisdictions. These efforts not only empower tribal agencies but also enhance the overall effectiveness and community responsiveness of policing nationwide.

Stacy Olson
Director
Arizona Law Enforcement Accreditation Program

Logo courtesy of Arizona Law Enforcement Accreditation Program.

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