"Tools for addressing crime on the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation are being put into place. A new federal law recently enacted will provide more law enforcement officers, prosecutors and flexibility in dealing with jurisdictions for Standing Rock and other reservations. It sounds good. The truth of the matter will be found in the application and performance of key agencies -- federal and tribal.

The Tribune editorialized earlier that addressing the challenging issues on America's Indian reservations must begin with creating a climate of safety for the people who live there. And that must be accomplished with federal action and strong local support.

The Tribune began Sunday publishing an occasional series on Native American criminal justice issues by reporter Jenny Michael, who recently attended a specialized reporting institute -- "Tribal Justice? Reporting on Crime in Native America" -- held at the University of New Mexico Law School and funded by the John Jay College Center on Media, Crime and Justice and the McCormick Foundation.

The Tribal Law and Order Act, signed into law in July and sponsored by Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., allows for stiffer sentencing and more flexible application to conflicting jurisdictions. It provides more resources to basic law enforcement. The act is complemented by the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Operation Alliance which will create 12 permanent law enforcement positions on Standing Rock. Further, there's a shortage of qualified officers for the nation's reservations, and United Tribes Technical College wants to become an academy for training tribal police."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Law & order essential on reservation IThe Bismarck Tribune 8/18)

Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act:
H.R.725

Tribal Law and Order Act:
S.797 | H.R.1924

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