Certification of Rosebud Sioux officers at issue

Tuesday, April 1, 2008  

The police officers for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota have not been properly certified since 1999, an issue that is affecting criminal cases in tribal and federal court.

More than 200 criminal cases have been thrown out of tribal court as a result, Chairman Rodney Bordeaux confirmed. All the officers are now certified, he said.

But now three tribal members are trying to have their cases in federal court dismissed due to lack of certification. James Henry, a council member, thinks there are people serving time in federal prison who will try to have their cases reheard.

The U..S. Attorney's Office in South Dakota says the lack of certification shouldn't affect federal cases.

Get the Story:
More than 200 Rosebud cases dropped (The Rapid City Journal 4/1)