Police officers from Pojoaque Pueblo in New Mexico are no longer allowed to stop non-Indians, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said.

The county revoked commissions for the officers following complaints by non-Indians. But the tribe said the move will put the public at risk.

“Simply put, the County of Santa Fe cannot adequately protect the public," Gov. George Rivera said in a statement that's being published as an ad in The Santa Fe New Mexican.

Rivera said 20 officers from the tribe, along with officers from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and four other tribes, provide the majority of services on and near the reservation. He also noted that the tribe retains civil jurisdiction over rights-of-way so it can still enforce traffic laws against non-Indians.

Get the Story:
Pojoaque governor fires salvo over cop issues (The Santa Fe New Mexican 10/2)
Sheriff revokes Pojoaque tribal police commissions (The Santa Fe New Mexican 9/30)
Residents say tribal officers deputized by county abuse power at traffic stops (The Santa Fe New Mexican 9/27)