NCJ Number
45584
Journal
Trooper Volume: 2 Issue: 7 Dated: (WINTER 1977) Pages: 102-103,105
Date Published
1977
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THE HISTORY OF THE INDIAN POLICE FROM ITS FOUNDING IN 1869 IS PRESENTED, FOLLOWED BY AN EXAMINATION OF THE PROBLEMS AND THE FUTURE OF THIS SPECIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT UNIT.
Abstract
THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION, THE INDIAN POLICE, HAS A LONG HISTORY OF DEDICATION WHICH IS MARRED BY POOR TRAINING, LOW SALARIES, AND JURISDICTIONAL DISPUTES. IN GENERAL, THE INDIAN POLICE HAVE JURISDICTION OVER ALL RESERVATIONS AND, IN SOME STATES, OVER INDIANS FROM THE RESERVATION WHO ARE LIVING IN NEARBY TOWNS. THEIR HISTORY HAS BEEN MARKED BY GREAT SUCCESS IN ENFORCING THE LIQUOR LAWS DURING THE 1920'S, ARRESTING FAMOUS OUTLAWS, AND KEEPING THE PEACE ON RESERVATIONS. HOWEVER, LOW BUDGETS AND LACK OF TRAINING WAS A PROBLEM UNTIL EUGENE F. SUAREZ WAS APPOINTED CHIEF OF THE DIVISION OF LAW AND ORDER OF THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. A CAREER POLICEMAN WHO HAD SERVED ON INDIAN RESERVATIONS, HE UPGRADED THE INDIAN POLICE ACADEMY IN ROSEWELL, NEW MEXICO, INCREASED THE TRAINING BUDGET FROM $40,000 TO $400,000 PER YEAR, AND INCREASED THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS TRAINED FROM 120 TO 400 ANNUALLY. SUICIDES AMONG INDIANS IN JAILS HAD BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM. AN EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL COUNSELING PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED FOR PRISONERS IN INDIAN JAILS, TOGETHER WITH INCREASED MANPOWER FOR THE JAILS AND SPECIAL TRAINING IN DETECTING EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS. HIGHER SALARIES COUPLED WITH HIGHER STANDARDS FOR OFFICERS ARE NOW IN EFFECT. THE FORCE FACED ITS GREATEST CHALLENGE WHEN A GROUP OF ARMED INDIANS TOOK OVER THE VILLAGE AT WOUNDED KNEE ON THE PINE RIDGE RESERVATION IN 1973. THE INCIDENT ATTRACTED THE ATTENTION OF THE NEWS MEDIA WORLDWIDE. WHILE THE INDIAN POLICE WORKED EFFICIENTLY UNDER THE FEDERAL MARSHALS IN CHARGE, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE EXISTING FORCE HAD NEITHER THE TRAINING NOR THE MANPOWER TO RESPOND TO SUCH SITUATIONS. AS A RESULT, THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS SERVICES UNIT (SOS) HAS BEEN ORGANIZED. THE SOS UNIT IS COMPRISED OF HIGHLY TRAINED INDIAN OFFICERS WHO WORK WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS. TO DATE THE UNIT HAS BEEN CALLED OUT EIGHT TIMES AT THE REQUEST OF LOCAL RESIDENTS. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM NOW IS THAT OF CLARIFYING LINES OF AUTHORITY. AT PRESENT MOST INDIAN POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARE CONTROLLED BY AN AGENCY SUPERINTENDENT WHO HAS NO LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE. BILLS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS TO CHANGE THIS SITUATION. TO DATE NONE HAVE BEEN PASSED. (GLR)