PHOENIX — A surge of federal investigators is being deployed to Arizona Tribal communities as part of a nationwide FBI initiative aimed at addressing violent crime and unresolved cases involving Indigenous victims, officials announced.
The effort, known as Operation Not Forgotten 2026, is bringing additional agents, analysts, and victim support personnel to multiple FBI field offices, including Phoenix, which oversees a large portion of Indian Country in Arizona. The initiative falls under the broader Operation Steadfast Promise, a coordinated federal effort to combat violent crime and improve public safety in underserved areas.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the operation is designed to confront longstanding gaps in investigative resources in tribal communities, where cases involving violence, missing persons, and exploitation have often gone unresolved.
“Too many communities have gone too long without the attention and resources they deserve,” Patel said in a statement announcing the deployment. “We are surging personnel and capabilities to ensure these cases are investigated, and victims are not forgotten.”
The Phoenix Field Office is among 11 locations receiving reinforcements. Agents assigned through the operation will work on a rotating basis, embedding with existing teams and coordinating directly with Tribal law enforcement agencies. The additional personnel include not only investigators but also forensic specialists and victim services professionals who support families throughout the process.
Federal officials say the initiative will prioritize cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous people, as well as violent crimes against women and children. The operation will also revisit cold cases, some of which have remained unresolved for years due to limited jurisdictional coordination and resource constraints.
Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, and the Phoenix FBI office covers vast rural and reservation areas where law enforcement challenges can be compounded by geography and overlapping jurisdiction between tribal, state, and federal authorities.
According to federal data, there are thousands of open investigations in Indian Country nationwide involving offenses such as homicide, sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence. Officials say those numbers underscore the need for sustained federal involvement.
The FBI said Operation Not Forgotten builds on prior efforts but expands both the scale and coordination of resources. By assigning personnel specifically to tribal cases, the bureau aims to accelerate investigations, increase case clearance rates, and strengthen relationships with tribal governments.
Local tribal leaders have long called for increased federal support, citing both the complexity of major investigations and the need for culturally informed victim services. While the FBI did not release a detailed breakdown of how many agents are being assigned to Arizona, officials confirmed that Phoenix will play a central role in the Southwest region of the operation.
In addition to investigative work, the initiative is expected to enhance data sharing, improve case tracking, and provide additional training opportunities for tribal law enforcement partners.
The deployment comes amid growing national attention on missing and murdered Indigenous persons, an issue that has prompted legislative action and task force development in recent years. Advocates say increased visibility has helped drive resources, but emphasize that long-term commitment will be necessary to produce lasting change.
Federal officials did not specify how long the current surge will remain in place, but indicated that the operation will continue throughout 2026 with the possibility of extension.
For families still waiting for answers, the renewed focus offers a measure of hope that stalled investigations may finally move forward.
“We owe it to these victims and their families to pursue every lead,” Patel said. “This is about accountability, justice, and ensuring no case is left behind.”
