The San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians is a self-governing nation and as such has established tribally-managed governmental units to support and enhance services on the San Manuel reservation. The San Manuel reservation governmental units are comprised of the Department of Health Services, the Department of Public Safety, the San Manuel Fire Department, the Department of Projects/Construction and Development and the San Manuel Gaming Commission.

Department of Health Services

The Department of Health Services creates a model for health standards management in the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians community and operates solely as a licensing department. Department of Health Services sets standards for the manufacturing, sale and distribution of consumable food produced by the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians, and works directly with the tribal government to authorize water resource licensing to certify that the San Manuel Bottled Water Group meets applicable health and safety laws. The Department of Health Services, established by the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians General Council, is comprised of three commissioners: a chairperson, vice-chairperson and a commissioner, of which one position must be held by a member of the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians General Council.

Department of Public Safety

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) provides services to the San Manuel reservation and all Tribal properties to establish a safe environment for all those who work live or visit the reservation and San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino. DPS works in partnership with the surrounding communities to protect lives, property and quality of life within and around the San Manuel reservation. The Department is committed to creating the safest environment through continuous community service, training, and education. DPS participates in many community events throughout the year. The DPS has a formal honor guard which it makes available for civic functions and parades. They also have a K-9 program that provides bomb detection services to the Reservation and surrounding agencies when requested.

The Department is 433 employees strong. Our Public Safety Officers are responsible for maintaining the Public Safety on reservation properties. Officers, both uniformed and in plain clothes provide security, in the Casino as well as on reservation patrol services; moto-cross patrol; animal control; administrative support. The department is comprised of a Director, an Assistant Director, Captains for each Division, Lieutenants, Sergeants, Corporals, Officers, Public Safety Assistants, and Public Safety Cadets.

DPS works closely in aiding the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office to provide ongoing law enforcement under an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). As the governmental unit of the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians that is charged to work with county law enforcement, the department serves as an outstanding example of broader, cooperative, and government-to-government relationships that exemplify San Manuel as a responsive and responsible tribal government.

San Manuel Fire Department

The San Manuel Fire Department's mandate is to provide emergency and non-emergency services to protect the lives and property of tribal citizens, employees, patrons, and guests of the San Manuel reservation as well as to safeguard environmental, cultural and economic resources. The department is called upon to ensure fire safety on the reservation and to protect the lives of those within the community. Also critical in the San Manuel Fire Department's mission is to develop, implement and maintain innovative prevention programs and strategies, life saving and safety education and training to the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians community. The department fosters partnerships with other tribal departments, as well as outside public safety agencies, to promote a dynamic emergency response capability.

The department operates from a state of the art fire station that has been in service since June 2004. This facility serves as the headquarters, training center and a firehouse and will encompass approximately 14,000 square feet. The San Manuel Fire Chief heads the department with 32 full-time employees including administrative staff.

Department of Planning and Development

The Department of Planning and Development is primarily responsible for handling and ensuring fulfillment of tribal contractual agreements for the daily construction activities of tribal projects on the San Manuel reservation. The department is also responsible for upholding tribal ordinances, codes and following through with necessary procedures for development and construction of tribal projects. The Department of Planning and Development engages in business decisions providing owner representation and acts as a liaison among the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians, management, design, consultants and contractors in all developments. The department is made up of three divisions that specialize in Project Development, Construction Management and Building Liaison.

San Manuel Gaming Commission

Pursuant to, and in compliance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-497 and codified at 25 U.S.C. 2701), the San Manuel Gaming Commission, headed by the gaming commissioner, was created by tribal ordinance as the first line of oversight to allow for the licensing and regulation of gaming within tribal jurisdiction. With the mandate to protect the integrity and assets of the operation, the commission has broad oversight of all gaming activities, including compliance with minimal internal controls, employee and vendor screening and licensing, and compliance auditing. The National Indian Gaming Commission is ultimately responsible over Indian gaming regulation on the federal level. Because the tribe offers Class III gaming in California, a state which otherwise precludes this type of gaming, "good faith" negotiations resulted in a tribal-state compact, which provides for shared state oversight. These multiple layers ensure that tribal government gaming is one of the most highly regulated industries.