In just two years, the Tulalip Tribes of Washington has built a police department that is earning respect from reservation residents and local law enforcement.

Washington is a Public Law 280 state but the state retroceded jurisdiction in November 2001. Since then, the police force has expanded from four to 15. There are new cars and equipment, and a volunteer police corps is being started.

The next step is cross-deputization with Snohomish County. The tribe's officers are sent to the state's Criminal Justice Training Commission Academy, so they have the same training as all other officers in the state.

Despite the changes, some on the reservation have their doubts. Tribal and non-tribal members support a well-developed police force but say the tribe is not ready for cross-deputization.

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Moving up in the ranks (The Seattle Times 3/4)