Law
Soboba Band signs mediation agreement with county

Correction: The "Custer" comment was directed at the local sheriff's station commander and not to the sheriff.

The Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians signed a mediation agreement with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department on Monday in hopes of resolving law enforcement disputes.

The tribe had criticized the county for the fatal shootings of three tribal members in May. Chairman Robert Salgado had referred to a commander of Sheriff Stanley Sniff as "General Custer."

After mediation overseen by the Department of Justice, the two sides agreed to work more closely together. Sheriff's deputies will receive cultural awareness training and will keep the tribe informed about investigations.

But both sides still disagree on the extent of state jurisdiction on the 6,000-acre reservation. California is a Public Law 280 state.

Get the Story:
Tribe, sheriff agree to work together (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 7/8)
Sheriff, Soboba tribe sign agreement on communication after shootings (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 7/8)
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Soboba Indians, Riverside County Sheriff reach agreement (The Los Angeles Times 7/8)
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Calif. tribe, police reach truce after shootout (AP 7/7)
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