Just a few months ago, the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians celebrated a court victory that upheld the rights of its law enforcement department. Now the California tribe has disbanded its entire police force as part of a major layoff effort.

The tribe's police officers were being stopped by California authorities every time they traveled on non-reservation roads. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals last November ruled the practice was discriminatory.

The police department has since been disbanded along with the fire department. A total of 32 to 35 employees are being laid off in what officials said was a decision to focus more attention on the tribe's $200 million casino resort that recently hired 600 people.

Get the Story:
Tribe disbands police, fire (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 4/12)
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Tribe leaves police, fire up to county (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 4/12)
Dozens of tribal police, firefighters laid off at Fantasy Springs (KESQ News 4/11)

Relevant Links:
Cabazon Band of Mission Indians - http://www.cabazonindians-nsn.gov

Related Stories:
Court sides with tribe in law enforcement dispute (11/12)