EASTERN REGION LAW ENFORCEMENT PROTECTING OUR NATIVE COMMUNITIES

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EASTERN REGION LAW
ENFORCEMENT PROTECTING OUR NATIVE
COMMUNITIES
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• The Eastern Region tribes have established the
  following as FY 2010 Regional priorities
• 1. Law Enforcement
• 2. Scholarships
• 3. Tribal Courts
• 4. Economic Development
• Note Eastern Regions tribal priorities are
  consistent with TBACs National Priorities
  

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• Of the 27 federally recognized tribes within the
  Eastern Region, 16 tribes operate BIA funded Law
  Enforcement Programs within District VI.
• St. Regis Mohawk
  Tunica-Biloxi
• Seminole
  Cherokee
• Poarch Creek Chitimacha
• Penobscot Nation Choctaw
• Pleasant Point
  Coushatta
• Indian Township Mashantucket
  
• Oneida
  Miccosukee
• Narragansett
  Wampanoag (Aquinnah)

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• It is important to recognize that the Eastern
  Regions Law Enforcement Departments varies
  considerably in relation to jurisdictional
  authority, service populations, and geographical
  coverage areas
• Service Population
• Smallest 318 lives
• Largest - 20,000 lives
• Geographical Coverage Area
• Smallest - 172 acres
• Largest - 88,339 acres.

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• In contrast to crime reports in Indian Country,
  the Eastern Region, District VI, is
• plagued by the following criminal activities
• Drug Related Crimes 16 of all drug related
  misdemeanor crimes committed in Indian Country
  occurs in District VI, which is 3rd highest of
  all districts.
• Forgery/Counterfeit 21 of all forgery
  counterfeit crimes committed in Indian Country
  occurs in District VI, 3rd highest of all
  districts.
• Prostitution/Commercialize Vice 35 of all
  prostitution/commercialize vice is committed in
  Indian Country occurs in District VI, highest of
  all districts.
• Of the Eastern Regions 16 BIA funded Tribal Law
  Enforcement Departments, 10
• tribes, or 62, are considered to be high violent
  crime areas.

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• In accordance the National Institute of Justice
  Research Report, Policing on American Indian
  Reservations, 1.8 2.0 officers per 1,000
  residents is the average in comparison to
  non-Indian jurisdictions. In the Eastern Region
  approximately 56 of our tribes are not
  sufficiently funded by BIA to meet this
  non-native national average. It is estimated
  that the Eastern Region needs funding for a
  minimal of 24 officers just to achieve parity
  with the non-native national average.

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• Minimal Tribal Needs
• Base Salary (24 Patrol Officers _at_ 47,460)
  1,139,040
• Fringe Benefits _at_ 27
  307,541
• Academy Training (24 officers _at_ 2,500)
  60,000
• Uniforms/Duty Gear (24 officers _at_ 1,500)
  36,000
• Minimal Unmet Need
  1,542,581
• (Note Projections do not include supportive
  needs such as
• dispatchers, vehicles, and upgraded communication
  equipment).
• Base salary is determined from the Bureau of
  Labor Statistics for
• the Median base salary for police/patrol
  officers.

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• Eastern Regions priority concerns include
• Lack of funding to employ adequate law
  enforcement officers.
• Lack of funding to retain officers (neighboring
  communities offer better competitive wages).
• Need to establish a funding formula that provides
  for minimum departmental requirements for 24/7
  operations (ex. 6 officers, 6 dispatching, 1
  clerical, 2 vehicles, etc.), also the funding
  formula should include other factors such as land
  base and population. This formula would be
  particularly helpful to smaller tribes.

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• Need to develop a process to evaluate tribal law
  enforcement facilities to ensure that they meet
  building and safety standards. Provide funding to
  ensure that BIA and Tribal Law Enforcement
  buildings meet applicable standards.

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• EASTERN REGION
• MODERNIZATION

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• BIA must have access to 21st century technology
  (internet access/telecommunications). Lack of
  technology impedes efficiency.
• Eastern Region must be retained. Eastern Region
  provides services to 27 federally recognized
  tribes.
• New dollars must be appropriated for any
  modernization initiatives. Funds for
  modernization must not be derived from the
  limited dollars within Operation of Indian
  Programs or any other funding that currently is
  available to meet tribal needs.

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Strength in UnityTribal leaders community
members unite to promotesafe healthy native
communitiesthrough community policing