"There's no question that the police surge at the Standing Rock Reservation was an effective federal initiative.

And there's no question that the Bureau of Indian Affairs needs to figure out how to revive that success - and soon.

A year ago, three dozen BIA law enforcement officers from across the country were sent to Standing Rock to battle crime in an area that had little police protection.

But the temporary program ran its course, and when the officers left, so did the improvements that increased law enforcement brought.

U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., has done his part in helping get federal funding to hire more officers.

However, the BIA - which has approved 12 additional public safety positions - hasn't filled those spots."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Use creativity to hire reservation police (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 7/13)

Committee Hearing:
FIELD HEARING to Examine Lessons Learned from Operation Dakota Peacekeeper (July 1, 2009)

Related Stories:
Standing Rock Sioux Reservation sees crime return (7/6)
Hearing focuses on Standing Rock public safety (7/2)
Witness list for Senate Indian Affairs field hearing (7/1)
Senate Indian Affairs Committee field hearing (6/29)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe loses police officers (6/26)