Over the last few years there have been many reports popping up of missing and murdered Indigenous people. Not that it started a few years ago, but the media has become much more aware of this terrible act. This has been going on for many years and organizations have been emerging as this terribleness has been growing all over the United States and Canada. One such particular organization is right here in Mesa: MMIP Fusion Center created by Mark Pooley.
Mr. Pooley has been in law enforcement since 2001. He recently retired from the Tempe Police Department in Arizona as a Sergeant in the Professional Standards Unit. During his tenure as a police officer he held several detective positions in Robbery, The Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF/FBI), and Homicide. As a supervisor, he was assigned to two ancillary positions; Crisis Negotiator Team and Incident Response Team. Prior to his police career, Mr. Pooley was a tribal prosecutor on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community where he dealt with criminal and civil issues within the tribal court.
Mr. Pooley recently started a nonprofit called Native Search Solutions. This organization focuses upon providing tools that will enhance Missing and Murdered Indigenous People. (MMIP) investigations by using the latest technology. Native Search Solutions has established a partnership with Native American Fatherhood and Families Association and Biometrica in establishing an MMIP Fusion Center located in Mesa, Arizona. Together this fusion center will provide a place
where other anti-human sex trafficking organizations, law enforcement and families of MMIP can come to collaborate in finding solutions for this epidemic.
NAFFA is excited to see the results of this fusion center in hopes that many of those who are missing will be returned home safely.