A bill making its way through the Washington Legislature gives tribal police officers the power to enforce state criminal and traffic laws.
Rep. John McCoy, a Democrat and member of the Tulalip Tribes, says the bill patches up gaps in law enforcement in Indian Country. It requires tribal officers to meet state standards and tribes to hold liability insurance.
The bill does not expand tribal court authority to non-Indians. But some in the state's law enforcement community say it would give tribes too much power.
The Washington Sheriff's Association opposes the bill but the much larger Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs supports it.
The House held a hearing on the bill last week. The Senate is holding one on Friday.
Get the Story:Bill would give tribal police jurisdiction over non-tribe members (AP 1/31)
Tribal police bill stirs up dissent (The Tacoma News Tribune 1/19) Get the Bill:
HB 2476 | SB 6524 $rl Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs - http://www.waspc.org
