Johnson proposes legislation to support tribal law enforcement

U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) on Sept. 29 introduced a bipartisan bill that would address the staffing shortages and lack of resources impacting tribal law enforcement agencies.

“Indian Country does not have the resources needed to combat crime,” Rep. Johnson said. “Currently, there is one officer for every 1,333 persons on the Pine Ridge Reservation,” an Oglala Lakota Indian reservation located in the congressman’s home state of South Dakota.

The Tribal Capital for Operations Promoting Safety (COPS) Act, H.R. 9068, which Rep. Johnson introduced alongside bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ), would increase training, compensation, and equipment procurement for tribal law enforcement agencies, according to a bill summary provided by the congressmen.

“Our tribal communities struggle with slow emergency response times — as long as 30 minutes — as well as officer retainment,” said Rep. Johnson. “The Tribal COPS Act will provide these law enforcement agencies with resources to improve the safety and security of their communities.”

Specifically, the bill would establish a grant program that could be used to compensate and retain officers; provide training and housing stipends to officers who live within tribal lands; and purchase equipment or buy, operate and maintain law enforcement facilities, the summary says.

“For too long, tribal police departments across Indian Country have dealt with staffing shortages and a lack of appropriate resources to address public safety concerns,” said Rep. O’Halleran. “I’m proud to introduce the Tribal COPS Act with Representative Johnson, my colleague across the aisle, to increase funding for tribal police departments to recruit, hire, and train skilled officers.”

H.R. 9068 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee.