"The Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA) represents an important step in helping the Federal Government better address the unique public safety challenges that confront tribal communities. As President Obama said when he proudly signed the act into law in July 2010, “It is unconscionable that crime rates in Indian Country are more than twice the national average and up to 20 times the national average on some reservations.”

This week marks the two-year anniversary of the enactment of the Tribal Law and Order Act, and as implementation of the law continues, the Act is already improving the Federal Government’s ability to work with Indian tribes in the investigation and prosecution of crime impacting tribal communities.

This important law gives tribes greater sentencing authority, improves defendants’ rights, establishes new guidelines and training for officers handling domestic violence and sexual assault, helps combat alcohol and drug abuse, expands the recruitment and retention of Bureau of Indian Affairs and tribal officers, and gives those officers better access to criminal databases."

Get the Story:
Jodi Gillette: Celebrating the Two-Year Anniversary of the Tribal Law and Order Act (White House Blog 8/1)

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ICT Interview: Affie Ellis from Indian Law and Order Commission (8/1)