Ivan F. Star Comes Out. Photo from Native Sun News
Marking time in a world of deceit
By Ivan F. Star Comes Out I don’t hear anyone talking about the Pine Ridge Police Force lately. All I know is that we once had federal law enforcement here and then as a result of some problems, law enforcement services were contracted by elements of the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) government. This was progressing until tribal politics severely destabilized the program and now it is definitely struggling. Although we now have a huge and expensive correctional facility, enforcing the law out on the prairie is still seriously deficient. By the way, the facility is used for the confinement of individuals who are sentenced for minor crimes or who are unable to gain release and are in custody awaiting trial. I’m sure it came with a few more jobs for those in corrections and law enforcement. Several years ago, under contract with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, tribal law enforcement was moving toward regaining that sovereignty our ancestors had. Local politics stopped that developing trend by discrediting it and thus destroyed what little progress was accomplished. Today, underhanded tribal politics continue to serve as a serious impediment to the effectiveness of law enforcement.
Read the rest of the story on the all new Native Sun News website: Marking time in a world of deceit (Ivan F. Star Comes Out, POB 147, Oglala, SD 57764; (605) 867-2448; mato_nasula2@outlook.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
Join the Conversation
