In the Desert, a Lifeline Underwater: 12 News Goes Behind the Scenes With Phoenix Police Divers

Phoenix - When most people think of the Phoenix Police Department, a dive team is likely one of the last things that comes to mind. It’s an unexpected concept in the middle of the desert — but the Dive Team is one of the region’s most critical and specialized public safety units.

The department partnered with 12 News to give viewers an inside look at the team’s work, offering rare behind-the-scenes access to their equipment and the conditions officers face when they suit up.

Established in 1984 the Phoenix Dive Team is one of only a handful of such units statewide and responds when an investigation or emergency leads to an underwater scene. Their responsibilities range from evidence retrieval to recovery missions, often supporting agencies across Arizona that rely on their expertise.

“There are hundreds of miles of canals, along with lakes, swimming pools and water-holding tanks across the Valley,” said Sgt. David Jordan, who oversees the team. “We train year-round so that no matter where we’re called, we’re ready.”

Becoming a Phoenix Police diver requires 160 hours of training, often completed over the course of a year. Officers take on that workload while still serving full 40‑hour shifts in their primary assignments in other units and precincts across the city.

The partnership with 12 News underscores a central part of the department’s mission: ensuring officers are ready to act whenever and wherever the community needs them.

To see more of the Dive Team’s work and the 12 News coverage of their mission, the full story is available here