Skip to main content

Newhouse Introduces Legislation to Support Tribal Law Enforcement, Protect Native Communities

July 14, 2022

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Derek Kilmer (D-WA) introduced the Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act alongside Harry Pickernell, Sr., Chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation,to improve hiring and increase retention for tribal law enforcement officers in order to better protect native communities and help address the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls (MMIW).

Image
Tribal Bill Signing

“I have heard from tribes in Central Washington and across the state about the challenges they face with recruiting and retaining tribal law enforcement officers,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Central Washington is home to many qualified, dedicated law enforcement officers—both tribal and non-tribal—who are well-immersed and respected within their communities. They have a shared interest in protecting families and local businesses, combatting the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women, and addressing rising crime rates. My legislation will equip our tribal communities with the resources they need to keep all of our communities safe.”

“It’s important for the federal government to respect tribal sovereignty and strengthen public safety,” said Rep. Kilmer. “I’m proud to help introduce the bipartisan Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act with Representative Newhouse so that we can take steps to improve the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of crimes in Indian Country – and ensure that Tribes across the region are able to recruit and retain the law enforcement officers they need to serve their community.”

“The Colville Tribes strongly supports the ‘Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act.’ The bill would implement long overdue reforms and remove administrative barriers to tribal law officers enforcing federal laws on their reservation lands. It will also assist tribes in recruiting and retaining officers, which is critical for rural tribes like the Colville Tribes that have large land bases and not enough officers to adequately patrol.” – Andy Joseph, Jr., Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation

“Support for Tribal law enforcement recruitment and retention is crucial to addressing many serious systemic public safety issues, including the ongoing crisis of disproportionate violence against Native people. Yakama Nation appreciates Congressman Newhouse's continued work to address long-standing impediments to Tribal sovereignty and our joint public safety efforts.” – Charlene Tillequots, Chairlady of the Yakama Nation MMIWP Committee

“The Chehalis Tribe enthusiastically supports the bill. We are able to pay our law enforcement officers competitive salaries but pension benefits are currently out of reach for Chehalis and most other tribes around the country. If enacted, this will allow Chehalis and other tribes to take care of the officers that patrol and keep our communities safe.” – Harry Pickernell, Sr., Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation

“As a local law enforcement officer, I have seen firsthand the need for more qualified law enforcement officers, both on the reservation and off. Congressman Newhouse’s legislation will increase safety within the reservation, for both enrolled and non-enrolled residents. Allowing tribal law enforcement officers to access enhanced benefits will make it easier for tribes to recruit and retain qualified officers, which will ease burdens and increase the ability of our law enforcement community as a whole to address public safety issues.” – Robert Udell, Yakima County Sheriff

“As in the other regions of the country, law enforcement and public safety is critically important to tribal communities in the Pacific Northwest. The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians supports legislation like the ‘Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act’ that enhances the ability of Indian tribes to recruit and retain law enforcement officers and better protect their tribal communities.” – Leonard Forsman, President, Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians

“Tribal law enforcement officers are essential first responders and provide protective services to our citizens in Indian Country. NCAI appreciates and thanks Representative Newhouse and Representative Kilmer for introducing this important legislation to ensure that our tribal law enforcement officers who put themselves in harm's way to protect Indian Country can receive federal retirement benefits for their dedication and service.” – Larry Wright, Jr., Acting CEO, National Council of American Indians

The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and the National Congress of American Indians have each enacted resolutions supporting this type of legislation. See here and here.

Click here to view the full text of the bill.

The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act will:

  • Authorize tribal officers acting under a 638 contract or compact to be considered federal law enforcement officers and enforce federal law, provided they meet certain qualifications, including having completed certain training and background investigation requirements that are comparable to BIA law enforcement officers. This action would eliminate the need for Indian tribes to enter into Special Law Enforcement Commission (SLEC) agreements, which are currently required under existing for tribal officers to enforce federal law and have proven administratively burdensome for tribes to obtain.

  • Treat tribal law enforcement officers acting under a 638 contract or compact as federal law enforcement officers for purposes of other federal laws, including for benefits applicable to federal law enforcement officers for injury and death, retirement, and pension benefits. Tribal law enforcement officers are currently not eligible for these federal benefit programs and including tribal officers will enhance tribes’ ability to recruit and retain officers, especially in rural areas.

  • Provide for the Secretary of the Interior to implement procedures for credentialing tribal officers and for the Attorney General to coordinate training and reporting activities.

Background:

In May 2022, Rep. Newhouse hosted a tribal law enforcement roundtable and MMIW listening session with Department of Interior (DOI) Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Bryan Newland, to allow tribal members to tell their stories and share the issues that they face with Assistant Secretary Newland directly and highlight the urgent need to establish a missing and murdered unit in Central Washington. As a result of those conversations, Congressman Newhouse worked and revised the Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act to address the needs of Central Washington tribal communities.

In May 2022, Rep. Newhouse introduced a resolution to designate May 5, 2022, as the National Day of Awareness for MMIW.

In March 2021, Rep. Newhouse called on the Biden Administration to prioritize addressing the MMIW crisis and renewed his 2020 call for a Cold Case Task Force Office in Yakima, Washington.

In October 2020, President Trump signed two historic pieces of legislation – Savanna’s Act and the Not Invisible Act – into law. Rep. Newhouse introduced Savanna’s Act and strongly supported the Not Invisible Act to address the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women (MMIW).

###