Iowa judge recognizes Mewskwaki officers as law enforcement

Friday, March 25, 2011  

Peace officers for the Meskwaki Tribe are recognized under Iowa law as law enforcement, a judge ruled last week.

Judge Ian Thornhill said the definition of law enforcement in Section 80B.2 of the Iowa Code includes tribal government officers. Therefore, a woman accused of assaulting a Meskwaki peace officer can face assault charges.

"It is concomitant that a law enforcement officer who is authorized and entrusted to enforce the law of Iowa is also protected by those same laws in the performance of his duty," Thornhill said in his ruling, The Marshalltown Times Republican reported. "Said another way, it is illogical to allow a tribal officer to enforce the state's laws, but not recognize him as an authorized enforcer of those laws under the provisions of that same body of law."

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Judge: Meskwaki officers are legal law enforcement in Iowa (The Marshalltown Times Republican 3/23)