1972 Down the Highways: “National Police Olympics” | Arizona Department of Public Safety
Skip to main content
Arizona Department of Public Safety Logo
Arizona Department of Public Safety
ARIZONA STATE TROOPERS

Main menu

  • Home
  • News
    • News Releases
    • Digest Blog
    • Incident Management
    • Live Streams
    • Silver Alerts
    • Public Announcements
      • Retirement Board Meetings
      • Law Enforcement Merit System Council
        • Decisions
        • Meeting Agendas
    • Commercial Vehicle News
    • Amber Alerts
    • Public Affairs Unit
    • Colonel's Statements
  • Services
    • Public Services
      • Public Service Center
      • Claim Personal Property
      • Concealed Weapons & Permits
      • Courts and Traffic Ticket Information
      • File a Complaint
      • Fingerprint Clearance Card
      • Licensing
      • Records Request
      • Submit a Tip
      • Tow Truck Application
      • Missing Children Search
      • Sex Offender Compliance
      • Household Goods Enforcement
    • Enforcement Services
      • Chaplaincy Program
      • Commercial Vehicle Enforcement
      • DUI Enforcement
      • GIITEM
      • Impaired Driving
      • Move Over Law
      • Scrap Metal Theft Database
      • Student Transportation
      • WANTED Fugitive Tips
    • Governmental Services
      • ADRS
      • ADOT
      • AFIS
      • Crime Laboratory
        • Simplified Laboratory Reports
        • Quality Assurance
        • Blood Alcohol
        • Toxicology
        • Controlled Substances
        • Latent Prints
        • Firearms/Toolmarks
        • Trace Evidence
        • Questioned Documents
        • DNA Scientific Services
        • Field Services
        • Property and Evidence
      • Crime Victim Services
      • NCJA
      • Tow Program
  • The Colonel
    • Colonel's Statements
    • Command Staff
    • Fallen Troopers
    • Organization
      • Office of the Director
      • Agency Support Division
      • Criminal Investigations Division
      • Highway Patrol Division
      • Technical Services Division
  • Department Information
    • Boards & Councils
      • Law Enforcement Merit System Council
      • Retirement Board Meetings
    • Commitments
      • Accessibility
      • Mission Statement
      • Values
    • History
    • Insignia
    • Reports & Publications
    • Request Records
  • Careers
    • Become a Trooper
    • Become a Dispatcher
    • Civilian Careers
    • Benefits
    • DPS Jobs & Descriptions
    • Job Interest Card
    • Job Openings
    • Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
    • Volunteer
    • Selection Guidelines
  • Safety
    • Alert System
    • Safety Messages
      • Aggressive Driving
      • Driver Fatigue
      • Drop House Awareness
      • Freeway Camera & Road Conditions
      • Impaired Driving
      • Motorcycles
      • Move Over Law
      • Precursor Chemicals
      • Safety Corridors
      • Seat Belt Safety
      • Share The Road
      • Weather Safety Tips
    • Task Forces
      • Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force (AVTTF)
      • Arizona WANTED Task Force
    • Special Programs
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • 1972 Down the Highways: “National Police Olympics”

Subscribe to the Digest Blog

subscribe to Digest Blog

1972 Down the Highways: “National Police Olympics”

1969 marked the beginning of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, which came as a recommendation from the then governor who said to, “assemble state-level law enforcement activities into a single, effective governmental unit." It consolidated the functions and responsibilities of the Arizona Highway Patrol, the Enforcement Division of the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control, and the Narcotics Division of the Arizona Department of Law. With this also came The Digest, the Department's very own publication featuring stories about the Department and its employees.  

Down the Highways 1972

 

Now, in 2019, we celebrate 50 years of the Department and take a look back at notable accomplishments, unfortunate tragedies and feel good stories from the years, or as we like to say, from Down the Highways. Sit back and take the road trip through history with us; once a week we will post a feature story, exactly as it appeared within the respective Digest publication, from the last 50 years, starting in 1969 all the way up to 2019.

 

1972: In this week’s entry we look back on the shots scored by the Department’s award-winning basketball team. The below story was featured in the August 1972 issue of The Digest. 

 

 "National Police Olympics

Mr. David Creech, coach of the Department of Public Safety's basket­ball team, and Officer Jerry Dodd presented Col. L. H. Robertson with the state first place trophy. This team and other winners of the State Police Olympics will be going to Tulsa, Oklahoma to participate in the National Police Olympics that will be held in that city, October 20, 1972.”  

 

AZDPS has since dissolved the sport teams within the Department but has not moved away from participating in the Olympics. For many years, the Department has been a proud partner of Special Olympics Arizona. From runs to barbecues, AZDPS is always proud to support Special Olympics Arizona. 

Watch our 2018 Barbecue for Champions Recap

 

Check back every week to see where we make our next stop in history from Down the Highways! Next week’s stop: 1973!

Read previous Digest stories
Read more about AZDPS’ history

 

Arizona State Seal
Location Information
Arizona Department of Public Safety
2222 W. Encanto Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85009
Find in Google Maps
Phone: 602.223.2000
Map Image

Copyright © Arizona Department of Public Safety – All rights reserved.

  • Contact Us
  • Statewide Policies
  • GOVERNOR'S REGULATORY REVIEW COUNCIL
  • Website Accessibility
  • Website Supported by CSU