Newhouse introduces legislation to support tribal law enforcement
Thursday Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), and Sharice Davids (R-KS) introduced the Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act 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).
“Native tribes in Central Washington and across the nation are encountering significant barriers in recruiting and retaining law enforcement officers for their reservation lands,” said Rep. Newhouse. “While their communities are combatting the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women and high crime rates, they need to be well-equipped to protect families and local businesses. The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act will empower our law enforcement officers with the necessary resources to ensure the safety of both tribal and non-tribal communities.”
“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 Representatives Newhouse and Davids 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 can recruit and retain the law enforcement officers they need to serve their communities.”
“Improving the recruitment and retention of tribal law enforcement officers is vital to increasing public safety in tribal communities,” said Rep. Davids. “I am proud to join my colleagues in leading this important legislation, which removes administrative barriers and gives tribal law enforcement officers increased access to the same federal benefits, including retirement benefits, as other federal law enforcement officers.”
Source: Goldendale Sentinel