Every day, police officers encounter individuals and families facing their most vulnerable moments. Children who haven’t eaten, survivors fleeing domestic violence, families suddenly left homeless, or teens vulnerable with nowhere safe to go. Officers often recognize the immediate needs in front of them, but their ability to help is limited by their role and available resources. Too many times, they are forced to drive away wishing they could have done more.
That’s where Angels on Patrol steps in.
Founded by a Phoenix Police Lt. in 2009, Angels on Patrol exists to empower officers to act on compassion. When an officer encounters someone in crisis, they can reach out to us directly and receive immediate support, often within minutes. Whether it’s providing emergency shelter for a domestic violence victim and her children, groceries for a struggling family, transportation to safety, or essential items like clothing, hygiene items and diapers, we ensure officers never have to face the heartbreaking choice of driving away, or reaching into their own pocket to assist.
Our model is fast, flexible, and deeply collaborative. There is no red tape, no waitlist, and no lengthy referral process. While the officer is still on scene, we can provide assistance that protects safety and restores dignity. Once the crisis is stabilized, we connect families to local nonprofits and community resources that can offer longer-term support, creating a bridge between emergency response and ongoing care.
This year, the need has surged! With shelter space at a critical low and homelessness continuing to rise in our region, motel placements for safety have become our largest expense. When every shelter bed is full, a safe room can mean the difference between safety and continued harm. Unfortunately, we don’t anticipate this need slowing down, and officers continue to turn to us when every other option has been exhausted.
In 2025 alone, we have already assisted several hundreds of families through officer referrals, and we expect the demand to continue increasing in 2026.
Angels on Patrol also believes in uplifting communities through positive engagement. We support officers in hosting community events, such as Shop with a Cop, youth outreach, and neighborhood initiatives that build trust and connection. These moments of positive interaction are vital to strengthening relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Being a member of the Greater Phoenix Chamber allows us to expand our reach, collaborate with other community-minded organizations, and share our mission with leaders who care deeply about making Arizona a safer, more compassionate place. We are grateful for the partnerships, visibility, and support that being part of the Chamber provides.
As we prepare for the year ahead, our goal is clear: to ensure that when an officer encounters someone in crisis, we can always say “yes, we can help.”
Together, with the support of our community and partners like the Greater Phoenix Chamber, we can continue changing lives. One call, one family, one moment of compassion at a time.
