Indio Police Department Welcomes New PIO

Indio Police Department Welcomes New PIO, Sgt Abraham Plata

INDIO — Sgt. Abraham “Abe” Plata will serve as the department’s new Public Information Officer (PIO), the Indio Police Department announced. Plata brings more than two decades of law enforcement experience and a deep commitment to the Indio community to this pivotal role.

Born in Michoacán, Mexico, Plata’s journey is a testament to perseverance and service. After immigrating to California with his family in the early 1970s, he was raised in McFarland before moving to Indio in 1987. A proud Marine Corps veteran, Plata began his law enforcement career as a Reserve Police Officer with the Indio Police Department in 1999, transitioning to full-time service in 2000.

Over the past 24 years, Plata has held numerous positions within the Indio Police Department, including:

• Patrol Officer
• Detective with the Palm Springs Narcotic Task Force and Riverside County Auto-Theft Interdiction Detail
• Field Training Officer
• School Resource Officer
• Sergeant for the Community Outreach Unit, overseeing School Resource Officers and the Quality-of-Life team

“Sergeant Plata embodies the values of dedication, service, and community engagement that are at the heart of the Indio Police Department,” said Chief Brian Tully. “His wealth of experience and commitment to fostering relationships will ensure effective communication and transparency with our community.”

In his new role as PIO, Sergeant Plata will manage the department’s communications, including press relations and social media, and lead the peer support team. Sergeant Plata’s exemplary career has been marked by numerous awards and accolades:

• PAL/SAFE Family’s Officer of the Year Award (2024)
• California Highway Patrol “Grandmaster” 10851 Pin (2019) – Recognized for recovering over 2,000 stolen vehicles, the highest achievement in this program and only Indio Police Department recipient
• Riverside CAL-ID Golden Bear Award (six-time recipient; 2002, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2020)
• “Honoree of the 2013 Coachella Valley Peace Officer Appreciation Day” by Indio City Council
• California State Assembly Officer of The Year (2012-2013)
• Indio Police Officer of the Year (2012)
• High Achiever of the Year (2001)
• Honors from the California State Assembly, Indio City Council, Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce, and Indio Sunrise Rotary

“As a longtime member of the Indio community and Indio Police Department, I’m honored to step into this position,” Plata said in a statement. “I look forward to connecting with residents, communicating with our community, and sharing the important work of the Indio Police Department.”