Tribal Police Department

"Service, Courtesy, Integrity, Professionalism"

The Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department was formed in 1976 by Tribal Chief Peter Otto and Tribal Council. The force started with Captain Johanson and Officer Ralph Sawmick. The force very slowly expanded over the next 17 years. in 1993 the Tribe realized a need for a larger police force, and began hiring in earnest.

Today the Tribal Police Department consists of 27 sworn BIA and MCOLES certified police personnel, 11 FLETC certified dispatch/corrections personnel, and two administrative staff.

The Tribal Police once operated out of a small one-room office in the Tribal Operations Building. Under the direction of Captain Ralph Sawmick, a new Public Safety Building (including Tribal Court, Police and Fire departments) was opened in February 1996. The PSB houses the full-time fire department, police, 24 hour Tribal dispatch, three detention cells, a multi-purpose training room, and the Tribal Court facilities.