Police had a SWAT armored truck, command van and bomb robot Saturday on the southwest corner of Rural Road and Southern Avenue in Tempe. But they weren’t dealing with any hostage situation or defusing any bombs.

Police had a SWAT armored truck, command van and bomb robot Saturday on the southwest corner of Rural Road and Southern Avenue in Tempe. But they weren’t dealing with any hostage situation or defusing any bombs.

Swarming is a technique generally used by insects and birds, but Tempe police are now applying Mother Nature’s tactic to fight crime.

October 12, 2004

Tempe named a new top cop Monday: Tom Ryff, a veteran of the city’s police force. Ryff takes over as police chief Jan. 1, replacing Ralph Tranter during a time of rapid change in Tempe.

Tempe named a new top cop Monday: Tom Ryff, a veteran of the city’s police force. Ryff takes over as police chief Jan. 1, replacing Ralph Tranter during a time of rapid change in Tempe.

July 24, 2004

Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O’Neal has signed up to become a volunteer with the Tempe Police Department.

An unmarked Tempe police cruiser stolen over the weekend was found Tuesday, stripped of equipment including the officer's gun.

An unmarked Tempe police cruiser stolen over the weekend was found Tuesday, stripped of equipment including the officer's gun.

Tempe’s police chief violated ethical standards by writing a letter on behalf of a councilwoman’s son arrested for growing marijuana, an investigation has found.

Tempe’s police chief violated ethical standards by writing a letter on behalf of a councilwoman’s son arrested for growing marijuana, an investigation has found.

Police are requesting the public’s assistance in finding a suspect in the robbery of a Tempe Burger King on Thursday.

Tempe police were searching Sunday for a man wanted in the rape and robbery of an elderly woman early that morning.

Tempe police have armed themselves with a list of all foreclosed homes in the city and are making a priority of keeping squatters, party crews and illegal drug labs out of them.

Tempe police might be getting a new member on the bomb squad. The prospective worker can move across rough terrain, squeeze through narrow spaces, fearlessly grab explosives — and is a robot.

Tempe police might be getting a new member on the bomb squad. The prospective worker can move across rough terrain, squeeze through narrow spaces, fearlessly grab explosives — and is a robot.

Tempe police might be getting a new member on the bomb squad. The prospective worker can move across rough terrain, squeeze through narrow spaces, fearlessly grab explosives — and is a robot.

Tempe police continue to search for the person who shot a 54-year-old man to death Wednesday night.

About 100 fire personnel from four Valley cities battled a major blaze at a Tempe apartment complex on Tuesday that left about 50 people homeless and a Tempe police sergeant needing to be treated for smoke inhalation.

The sights, smells and emotions that come from seeing the worst of life’s tragedies often stay with police day and night, bottled up until an unpredictable incident releases them.

December 9, 2004

The Tempe Police Department will honor the Mexican Police Force and US Marshals in a Thursday night ceremony for the capture of a suspected Tempe criminal in Mexico.

Tempe Police Department has been awarded an $80,000 grant by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, led by Director Alberto Gutier.