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For
Immediate Release Contact: Betsy Hart
July 23, 2008 (202) 226-8555
HERSETH
SANDLIN INTRODUCES TRIBAL LAW AND ORDER ACT
Legislation Helps Keep Tribal Communities Safe, Provides Crime-Fighting
Tools, Improves Law Enforcement Agency Coordination and Accountability
July 23, 2008, Washington, DC- Today,
Rep. Herseth Sandlin introduced bipartisan legislation to bolster law
enforcement efforts on reservations and improve the overall quality
of life in Indian Country. Drafted in response to harrowing reports
of increased crime on reservations in South Dakota and across the country,
The Tribal Law and Order Act of 2008 provides tribal justice officials
the tools and resources they need to keep their communities safe. The
legislation contains much-needed provisions to improve coordination
between tribal, state and federal law enforcement agency and increase
accountability standards.
Upon introduction of her bill, Herseth Sandlin said, “Native American
families – like every other family in the United States - deserve to
raise their children in a safe environment supported by robust law enforcement
services with adequate resources and facilities. Ultimately, I believe
that this comprehensive bill is an important and necessary first step
in our shared goal of making Indian Country a safer place to be,” Rep.
Herseth Sandlin said.
The Tribal Law and Order Bill would:
Clarify the responsibilities of Federal, State, tribal, and local governments
with respect to crimes committed in tribal communities;
Increase coordination and communication among Federal, State, tribal,
and local law enforcement agencies;
Empower tribal governments with the authority, resources, and information
necessary to safely and effectively provide for the public’s safety
in tribal communities;
Reduce the prevalence of violent crime in tribal communities and combat
violence against women;
Address and prevent drug trafficking and reduce rates of alcohol and
drug addiction in Indian country; and
Increase and standardize the collection of criminal data and the sharing
of criminal history information among Federal, State, and tribal officials
responsible for responding to and investigating crimes in tribal communities.
In June of 2007 at the request of Rep. Herseth Sandlin, the House Committee
on Natural Resources held a hearing on the Lower Brule Reservation in
south central South Dakota. Entitled The Needs and Challenges of Tribal
Law Enforcement in Indian Reservations, tribal leaders and law enforcement
officials from eight tribes testified for the need to improve government-to-government
consultations between tribes and the federal agencies charged with supporting
their law enforcement goals. Witnesses explained the need for more resources
for officers, equipment, jails, and tribal courts.
One witness, Chairman Joseph Brings Plenty of the Cheyenne River Reservation,
explained that on his reservation, there are an average of only three
officers per shift to cover nineteen communities with 15,000 people
and an area approximately the size of Connecticut. On this large, land-based
reservation, each officer covers an average of 450 miles of road in
one 8 hour shift. In 2006 alone, the Cheyenne River Sioux tribe’s police
department responded to 11,488 calls for service and made 11,791 arrests.
Herseth Sandlin added, “Like many South Dakotans, I have been alarmed
and severely concerned by some of the news about crime rates and safety
on reservations in our state and Congress can and should do more when
it comes to law enforcement in Indian Country. Given the extent of the
problems tribal law enforcement faces in terms of funding, personnel
and facilities in combination with the unique relationship between government
entities, there will be no simple or quick fix. However, the Tribal
Law and Order bill that I’m introducing is a broad based bill that tackles
some of the thorny jurisdictional issues faced by law enforcement and
is an important first step to addressing the complex and broken system
of law and order in Indian Country.”
Rep. Herseth Sandlin is a member of the House Natural Resources Committee
which has jurisdiction over issues related to tribes and the Bureau
of Indian Affairs. Joining Rep. Herseth Sandlin as the lead Republican
co-sponsor of the bill was Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK). Original co-sponsors
of the legislation include Rep. Dale Kildee (D-MI), Rep. Tom Udall (D-NM)
and Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ). Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) introduced
nearly identical legislation in the Senate.
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Congresswoman Stephanie
Herseth Sandlin serves South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives.
She is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats
committed to fiscal discipline and strong national security, and is
co-chair of the Rural Working Group, which is dedicated to raising the
profile of issues important to rural America. She also serves on three
committees vital to South Dakota’s interests: Agriculture, Veterans’
Affairs and Natural Resources. In the 110th Congress, Rep. Herseth Sandlin
was one of only 15 members appointed to serve on the Select Committee
on Energy Independence and Global Warming.
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