The mission of the Airport Unit at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is to provide law enforcement services to the airport community through cooperative effort with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to ensure a safe and secure environment for the traveling public.

The Airport Unit provides protection 24-hour/7-days-a-week through an on-site staff of airport certified police officers. Officers work closely with members of the airport staff and TSA supporting the Airport Security Program and TSA security requirements. The Airport Unit is supported by the Mesa Police Department's explosive detection canines, explosive technicians and the Phoenix Police Department Sky Harbor Bureau.

Officers of the Airport Unit receive specialized training to ensure federal aviation-related certifications and standards are maintained. Officers work closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation/Joint Terrorism Task Force (FBI/JTTF) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to investigate and enforce crimes/incidents that occur onboard an aircraft in flight.