Tribal Police

Jaclyn Smith

In recent years there has been a heightened concern for crime in American Indian and Alaska Native communities (hereafter referred to as Indian Country) and the response to it. This attention is warranted, as data suggest these populations are currently experiencing high rates of crime and victimization. Law enforcement officials, in particular police officers, play a prominent role in a community's ability to fight crime. The purpose of this entry is to explore the unique characteristics and challenges of policing in Indian Country. More specifically, this entry will outline some of the arrangements tribes have for administering justice with state and federal officials as well as some challenges police departments on reservations face. American Indian and Alaska Native are terms that describe any person whose origins can be traced to North, Central, or South America and who maintains tribal affiliation. According to the 2000 census, there are approximately 4.3 Although ...

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