The Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Foundation (SALEF) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization (TIN 20-0559408) established in 2003. We raise public awareness and money to support the needs of our Tucson area law enforcement agencies.
The role of SALEF is not to displace budget funding for basic law enforcement of the departments we partner with, or reduce in any way the responsibility of the city or county to commit necessary funding for law enforcement services for its citizens. However, as law enforcement tasks become more complex, agencies have increasing needs to stay current in obtaining ongoing officer training, technical equipment, and software upgrades, and to develop partnerships and programs that engage with the community.
SALEF funded the purchase of two Tucson PD Bomb Squad bomb detection K9s ("Lady" in 2016, and "Belle" in 2020).
Back-to-school Safety & Health Fair at the Marana PD in 2018.
Bulletproof vest presentation at the Tucson PD in 2017.
SALEF received a donation from the Southern Arizona Musicians for Healing foundation, which provides assistance to first responders suffering from PTSD, depression and anxiety.
Police Foundation Beginnings
SALEF was established in 2003 as the Tucson Police Foundation. The primary concern of the Foundation at that time was the safety of our officers. Every year, city budgets present challenges to our police agencies in getting the equipment, gear, safety and technology items needed for our police officers to stay safe, perform their duties, and ultimately to keep the community safe. The Foundation’s purpose is not to absorb or replace the budgetary responsibilities of the City, but to collaborate with law enforcement to understand their greatest needs, and work with businesses in the community to raise money by presenting community events and submitting for grants. These efforts, as well as generous donations from our supporters, allow SALEF to acquire needed items when possible. SALEF, being independent from law enforcement and government agencies, can work independently to maximize the transactions that can have the greatest results. For over 21 years the Foundation has raised money to fully fund—or supplement the funding for—the needs of Tucson area police agencies.
SALEF Into the Future
In 2017, the Foundation was able to expand its assistance to other regional law enforcement agencies and, in doing so, was renamed to the Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Foundation (SALEF). Our mission and function remains the same and we continue to assist the Tucson Police Department as well as Marana Police, University of Arizona Police, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, Oro Valley Police, Tucson Airport Police and Pima College Police. SALEF is able to partner with and assist additional Pima/Tucson Metro area agencies as needed. Our achievements are credited to the expertise of our dedicated volunteer board members who are strong advocates of law enforcement employees and believe in supporting our law enforcement officers. SALEF aims to ensure a sustainable financial model by presenting community events and programs, building corporate partnerships, and acquiring grants. As a result, we help law enforcement agencies increase officer safety, provide equipment and technology to reduce crime, generate better community relations, and assist law enforcement in their mission to protect and serve the citizens of Southern Arizona. SALEF continues its mission to raise money and provide items such as replacement bulletproof vests, technology items, software upgrades, new K9 service dogs, vehicle heat sensors and alarms for the K9 unit, and bicycles for community bicycle police units. We want our local area law enforcement agencies to be better trained, better equipped, and better supported than the criminals who threaten our communities, businesses and families.