TPD Patrol Division East Newsletter - February 2026

Captain Matthew Brady
Operations Division East

February 2026

Community Response Team Working to Reduce Gun Violence

In January, one of our Community Response Teams (CRTs) had two impressive stops that resulted in arrests of individuals involved in felonious activity while in possession of handguns and narcotics.

Our CRT officers were working in the area of 29th and Craycroft when they contacted a suspicious vehicle occupied by two individuals. Officers were able to articulate probable cause for a search of the vehicle.

During the search, officers located two pistols – one with an extended magazine – approximately 2.5 pounds of methamphetamine, 20 grams of cocaine, and 6 grams of fentanyl. Both vehicle occupants were arrested for drug sales, and the driver was identified as a prohibited possessor.

Earlier in the month, CRT made another stop where they recovered 360 fentanyl pills, 4 grams of methamphetamine, and 9 grams of crack. The driver of that vehicle also had a handgun concealed on their person. The driver was arrested on numerous narcotics and weapons related charges.

ODE CRTs are committed to making our community safer.
In 2025, ODE's two CRT units seized 110 guns.

Lieutenant Alfredo Mesa has served with the Tucson Police Department since July 2007. He began his career in Operations Division South, working in both the Zebra and Bravo Squads. During his time in ODS, he served as a General Instructor and Field Training Officer. Lieutenant Mesa was later assigned to the Gang Tactical Unit before being promoted to sergeant in November 2015.

In that role, he worked multiple assignments, including Operations Division West patrol, Counter Narcotics Alliance, Office of Professional Standards, and the Criminal Investigations Division.

Lieutenant Mesa is the father of two teenagers and enjoys coaching football and watching sports. He looks forward to serving the community members of Operations Division East.

Lieutenant David Fritsch was hired by the Tucson Police Department in 2012 and graduated from SALETC Class 12-3. He began his career assigned to Operations Division Downtown (now part of Operations Division West) before earning positions in the DUI Squad and the Motors Unit. During his tenure as an officer, he served in a variety of roles, including Field Training Officer, Driving Instructor, and DUI Instructor, and was responsible for teaching traffic-related courses at the academy. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2022 and served in Operations Division South, the Public Information Office, and the Office of Professional Standards.

Lieutenant Fritsch earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Grand Valley State University. Originally from Michigan, he has called Tucson home since 2012. Outside work, he keeps active through cycling, golf, and hockey. As an Eastside resident, Lieutenant Fritsch is proud to serve in Operations Division East alongside the men and women of ODE.

Officer Raeya Miller has served the Tucson Police Department since Sept 2019. Throughout her tenure, she has shown superlative dedication to professional and thorough investigations. She takes pride in treating everyone with the highest degree of respect, empathy, and compassion.

Officer Miller consistently goes above and beyond in responding to calls for service, often having one of the highest number of cleared calls in ODE. More importantly, each investigation is taken to its conclusion, as Officer Miller values complete and thorough investigations. Recently, Officer Miller completed search warrant training for patrol officers, resulting in her becoming an invaluable asset for patrol and detective units, as she obtains search warrants before investigative units arrive. 

In 2023, Officer Miller completed Field Training Officer School, training nine officers since then. As an FTO, Officer Miller works tirelessly to instill the same high level of investigative standards and service-oriented policing in all officers she trains. 

As a result of a 2025 call for service, Officer Miller has been nominated for the Lifesaving Medal. Responding to a call, she found a victim who had been shot and  sustained severe injuries to both legs. Officer Miller took quick and decisive action, applying bilateral tourniquets and saving the victim’s life. 

Officer Miller hopes to be promoted to sergeant within the next five years, viewing it as an opportunity to further develop younger officers. In this regard, Officer Miller represents the very best of the Tucson Police Department and its commitment to our community.

Keep unused prescription meds out of the landfill and out of harm's reach. Pima County's Dispose-A-Med program provides several secure drop-off locations for unused medication.

Many cases of opioid addiction begin with a prescription, either to the person who later becomes addicted, or to a family member or friend, when pills are shared or stolen. Safely disposing of unused pills reduces temptation, helping to keep family and friends safe.