Hoover Dam Police
Stored: Hoover Dam Police Department, Hoover Dam Police Department
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Hoover Dam Police Department was a federal security police force under the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, stationed at Hoover Dam, 23 miles southeast of Las Vegas, from the 1930s until its dissolution on October 1, 2017, when duties transferred to the National Park Service and a Bureau of Reclamation Security Response Force.
Mission
The Hoover Dam Police Department aimed to protect Hoover Dam—designated as National Critical Infrastructure—and its visitors, employees, and assets by enforcing laws within a 22-square-mile security zone. It managed traffic, responded to emergencies, and safeguarded the dam’s hydroelectric operations, which generate about 2,080 megawatts, amid heightened security concerns post-9/11.
Parent organization
The Hoover Dam Police Department operated under the Bureau of Reclamation, within the Department of the Interior, overseeing security for the Lower Colorado Region’s water and power infrastructure.
Legislation
The department was not established by specific legislation but evolved from the Bureau of Reclamation’s authority under the Reclamation Act of 1902, with its police role formalized in the 1930s to support Hoover Dam’s construction and operation.
Partners
- National Park Service for law enforcement transition
- Local agencies (e.g., Boulder City Police) for mutual aid
- FBI for counter-terrorism support
Number of employees
Exact employee numbers varied over time; by 2017, the department had a small force of trained officers, all of whom were reassigned within Reclamation, other agencies, or NPS upon closure, with no layoffs reported.
Organization structure
The Hoover Dam Police Department was a compact unit focused on dam security:
Leader
The department was led by a Chief of Police, reporting to the Bureau of Reclamation’s regional security leadership.
Divisions
The department had no formal divisions but included:
- Patrol Unit for security and traffic management.
- Emergency Response Team for incident handling.
- Coordination Team for interagency collaboration.
List of programs
- Traffic Safety and Checkpoint Operations
- Visitor Protection Services
- Infrastructure Security Patrols
Last total enacted budget
The specific budget was not publicly isolated; it was funded within the Bureau of Reclamation’s Lower Colorado Region budget (e.g., $169 million in FY 2017), with no separate figure available at closure in 2017.
Staff
The staff comprised federal police officers trained at facilities like the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), supplemented by unarmed Reclamation security guards, with numbers peaking during high-traffic periods like the dam’s 1.2 million annual visitors.
Funding
From the 1930s to 2017, the department was funded through Bureau of Reclamation appropriations, supporting its law enforcement role until its duties were reassigned to NPS and SRF in October 2017.
Services provided
The Hoover Dam Police enforced federal and state laws, managed traffic across the dam (pre-2010 bypass), responded to emergencies, assisted local and federal agencies, and protected the dam from threats, notably tightening security after 9/11 with vehicle checkpoints.
Regulations overseen
The department enforced Bureau of Reclamation regulations and federal laws within the Hoover-Mead Security Zone but did not create regulations, aligning with NPS standards post-2017.
Headquarters address
Hoover Dam, Boulder City, NV 89006
History
Founded in the early 1930s with construction marshal Claude Williams, the Hoover Dam Police Department grew from a temporary force of U.S. Marshals to a dedicated federal unit by 1939, enhancing security amid WWII threats. Post-9/11, it restricted dam traffic and added checkpoints until the 2010 bypass opened. On October 1, 2017, it dissolved, with NPS rangers from Lake Mead National Recreation Area taking over law enforcement and an armed SRF handling physical security.
Related
See Also Links to related programs articles or organizations: