CABAZON, CA – The Morongo Band of Mission Indians has named veteran Orange County Sheriff’s Captain AJ Patella as the Chief of the Morongo Tribal Police Department.
A 22-year resident of the San Gorgonio Pass, Patella joined the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in 1999 and worked as a Deputy Sheriff, serving in Custody and Patrol Operations as a Drug Recognition Expert, a Field Training Officer, and the Administrative Deputy, coordinating public safety for special events. As a Sergeant and a Lieutenant, he worked numerous details including Internal Affairs, the Sheriff’s Response Team, and the All-Hazards Incident Management Team.
Patella served as Captain of the Behavioral Health Bureau, overseeing a multi-disciplinary team that assisted the homeless population and those with mental health needs. In 2023, he was selected to lead the North Patrol Bureau where he served as the Chief of Police Services for approximately 70,000 residents in the City of Villa Park and the surrounding county areas. He retired from the sheriff’s department in March 2025 to join the Morongo Tribal Police Department.
“We are delighted to welcome AJ Patella as Morongo’s new Tribal Police Chief,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “With his impressive police career stretching back 26 years, Chief Patella’s experience and leadership will be invaluable in strengthening public safety on the Morongo reservation and protecting our tribal community.”
“I am honored to join the Morongo Tribal Police Department and am excited to build upon the department’s strong legacy of professionalism and service,” said Patella. “I look forward to working alongside our dedicated officers and staff to ensure the safety and well-being of the community. Together, we will continue to uphold the highest standards of police service and public trust.”
The Morongo Tribal Police Department has over 80 sworn and professional staff who protect the lives and property of residents and visitors to the 36,000-acre Morongo reservation. Its key functions include patrol operations, dispatch/communications, enterprise security, investigations, traffic, tribal court services, special events, and emergency operations.
