Morongo Names New Tribal Patrol Chief

MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION, CA. – The Morongo Band of Mission Indians has named veteran law enforcement officer Radames Gil as its new chief of the Law Enforcement Division of the Morongo Reservation Patrol Department, effective immediately.

Gil spent 26 years in law enforcement as a patrol officer, detective, detective sergeant and patrol sergeant, primarily with the Desert Hot Springs Police Department where he retired in 2012. He joined Morongo’s Tribal Patrol in 2014 and rose to the rank of lieutenant under former Morongo Reservation Patrol Chief Mike Levine.

“Over the past three years, we have been impressed by Radames’ professionalism, his leadership skills and his tireless dedication to protecting residents and guests at the Morongo Indian Reservation,” said Tribal Chairman Robert Martin. “He has extensive law enforcement experience and I have no doubt that he will continue to move our Reservation Patrol Department forward.”

Gil was tapped as interim chief in January when Levine retired after 21 years with the tribe.

“I’m deeply honored to be given this opportunity, and I know I have some big shoes to fill,” Gil said. “I have a great deal of respect for the tribe, and I promise to do my best to make sure our department continues to keep the reservation community safe and secure.”

Gil said he will continue to work hard to maintain Morongo’s strong, existing partnerships with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies such as the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Banning Police Department, Beaumont Police Department, the California Highway Patrol, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office and others.

The 37-member Morongo Tribal Patrol serves the residents and businesses on the 35,000-acre Morongo Indian Reservation.

— SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION ON BEHALF OF: Morongo Band Of Mission Indians / Image via Shutterstock