The Idaho House Judiciary Committee voted to introduce a bill that would allow police officers from the Coeur d'Alene Tribe to arrest and cite non-Indians for violating state laws.

The tribe has cooperative law enforcement agreement with Kootenai County. But the sheriff in Benewah County refuses to negotiate and the tribe says that leaves the public in danger.

The bill would only apply to the tribe and to Benewah County. Tribal police officers would have to be certified by the state and the tribe would have to carry insurance and waive sovereign immunity for lawsuits involving officers.

The bill has generated controversy but lawmakers said they want to learn more about the issue.

Get the Story:
Policing bill gets panel’s support (The Spokesman Review 2/10)
Coeur d'Alene Tribe pushing legislation to gain control of non-tribal criminals (KREM-TV 2/9)

Relevant Documents:
DOC: State and Indian Tribal Law Enforcement Act

Related Stories:
Editorial: Sheriff wrong about Coeur d'Alene policing (2/8)
Coeur d'Alene law enforcement bill stirs controversy (02/05)
Editorial: Back tribal arrest authority over non-Indians (2/3)