Melvin gets new police chief job at Salt River

Retiring Maricopa Police Chief Patrick Melvin has accepted a position as police chief of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community that borders Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale and Fountain Hills.

Melvin confirmed this morning he was hired by Salt River, but did not say when he would start his new job. He said he could not provide details at this time because he is still employed by the city of Maricopa.

Melvin, whose retirement is effective Oct. 28, said last week he plans to run for City Council. The city said it does not have information on whether Melvin will collect a pension, stating that is between the employee and the Arizona State Retirement System.

Melvin was the first police officer hired by the city when the department was created in 2006.

The Salt River Indian community has a population of 9,300 and comprises two distinct Native American tribes—the Pima (Akimel O'odham) and the Maricopa (Piipaash).