The Arizona State University Police Department began its work 75 years ago with 10 patrolmen serving 10,000 students on a 310-acre campus.

Today, it is an agency of nearly 200 total staff supporting a student body of more than 100,000, covering 1,248 acres.

“This department has come a long way over the last 75 years,” ASU Police Chief Michael Thompson said.

“However, whether we are a community patrol of 10 people, or one of the 25 largest departments in the state, our mission to foster a safe, community-centered environment through engaged collaboration remains the same.”

Thompson said the milestone will be celebration from January through June 2024 with officers, aides and professional staff wearing  commemorative patches.

Officers also will receive commemorative badges.

“Turning 75 is a significant achievement. We want to make it special for the team currently in place, as well as for all those who’ve contributed to this department’s legacy,” the chief said.

ASUPD operates in a “unique, culturally diverse environment,” officials said in a release.

“The agency is committed to working with campus groups and community initiatives to review and develop policies, promote transparency and better understand the needs of the community.”

According to the release, ASUPD has been an “innovator in inclusion and collaboration in the public safety field,” citing the employment of female officers in the early 1960s to today’s 30x30 and Police2Peace initiatives.

“We want our department to match our diverse and innovative community,” Thompson said.

“We carry our past traditions with us, but know we need to be innovative and flexible to reach our goal of being a beacon of positivity and growth in law enforcement.”

Over the last 75 years, ASUPD has earned dual international accreditation and expanded its jurisdiction to five campuses.