Indigenous Affairs

Gila River Indian Community publicly acknowledges firing of its police chief last month

KJZZ | By Jill Ryan

Published August 4, 2025 at 10:18 AM MST

Gila River Police Chief Jesse Crabtree sharing news about the youth curfew via social media on Feb. 26, 2025.

The Gila River Indian Community south of Phoenix is now publicly acknowledging that it fired its police chief.

Jesse Crabtree was let go last month after a town hall meeting about ongoing juvenile and gang violence.

A community statement says a nationwide search for a new chief follows a monthlong internal review. Gila River did thank Crabtree for his service and said the change is to “align the Gila River Police Department more closely with the needs and expectations of the community, its members and leaders.”

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