Reproduction badge of the Indian Police, made of metal, with a needle for its attachment.

The United States Indian Police (USIP) was created in 1880 by John Q. Tufts to provide justice and technical assistance services to the federally recognized Indian tribes.

After its foundation, many of its officers were recruited from the ranks of the Indian Lighthorse, the former police of the native tribes. Many of their officers received permits that allowed them to cross jurisdictional frontiers and also detain non-Indians.

Sam Sixkiller, a former high sheriff of the Cherokee nation, was recruited to become the captain of the US Indian police in 1880 and he was famous for surviving multiple battles during his six years of service until he was shot on Christmas Eve while he was unarmed.