Fort Yuma Quechan Police

Home of the Quechan (pronounced Kwuh-tsan) Indians,
Fort Yuma-Quechan Reservation is located along both sides
of the Colorado River near Yuma, Arizona. The reservation
borders the states of Arizona, California, Baja California
and Mexico. Encompassing 45,000 acres, the reservation is
bisected on the south by Interstate 8 (I-8). Consequently,
several million cars a year drive through the Fort Yuma-Quechan
Reservation on their way to and from Phoenix and San Diego.

The Yuma, who today prefer to be called the Quechan, have
long been known as fighters. For centuries they battled the
Papago, Apache, and other tribes for control of the fertile
flood plains of the Colorado River (created by Kumastamxo by
tracing a course through the desert with the tip of his lance)
which is the boundary between California and Arizona.

Largely an agriculture community, the Tribe leases its 700
acre farm to a non-Indian farmer. It also operates a long-term
sand and gravel lease with a non-Indian corporation which
employs 8 to 10 tribal members.

In addition to farming and the sand and gravel operation,
the Fort Yuma Quechan Reservation counts on tourism and
related business to augment its economy. The hot summers
and relatively warm winter temperatures make the site a
desirable winter vacation spot from November to March.
To serve this audience the Tribe manages five trailer and
RV parks, a small grocery store, museum, bingo hall, utility
company and a fish and game department.

According to the most recent data from the Tribal Enrollment
Office, the Quechan population totals 2,475 members.