Post by Okwes on Sept 24, 2007 8:47:37 GMT -5
Police powers restored at St. Regis
www.pressrepublican.com/0100_news/local_story_150230105.html
<http://www.pressrepublican.com/0100_news/local_story_150230105.html>
AKWESASNE -- The 11-member Tribal Police Department now has
state-sanctioned police powers to arrest non-Native Americans suspected
of breaking the law on the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation.
Police powers were granted before, under Franklin County Sheriff Jack
Pelkey, but they were stripped in March 2000 when tribal officers
blocked gasoline-tanker trucks from entering the reserve under orders
from its Tribal Police Commission.
But Wednesday, after years of negotiations, State Police Acting
Superintendent Preston L. Felton and the three chiefs of the Tribal
Council announced that the officers met the requirements to enforce
state laws.
Before now, officers could enforce only federal law.
To have non-native suspects arrested, they had to call in State Police
patrols from neighboring jurisdictions.
"These appointments will enable tribal officers to provide a higher
level of service to the Mohawk community …-- enhancing the security
of nearly 12 miles of international border between the United States and
Canada," Felton said in a news release.
Chief Lorraine White said the tribe "has moved one giant step closer
toward securing well-deserved respect, honor and independence for our
Tribal Police Department."
District Attorney Derek Champagne is pleased to add the Tribal Police to
his arsenal in the battle against crime in Franklin County.
"The Tribal Police Department has earned a reputation as being one of
the most professional police agencies in the North Country," he said in
a statement.
"These certifications will enhance and further the relationship that the
Tribal Police Department has developed and will improve all
law-enforcement activities in the North Country."
www.pressrepublican.com/0100_news/local_story_150230105.html
<http://www.pressrepublican.com/0100_news/local_story_150230105.html>
AKWESASNE -- The 11-member Tribal Police Department now has
state-sanctioned police powers to arrest non-Native Americans suspected
of breaking the law on the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation.
Police powers were granted before, under Franklin County Sheriff Jack
Pelkey, but they were stripped in March 2000 when tribal officers
blocked gasoline-tanker trucks from entering the reserve under orders
from its Tribal Police Commission.
But Wednesday, after years of negotiations, State Police Acting
Superintendent Preston L. Felton and the three chiefs of the Tribal
Council announced that the officers met the requirements to enforce
state laws.
Before now, officers could enforce only federal law.
To have non-native suspects arrested, they had to call in State Police
patrols from neighboring jurisdictions.
"These appointments will enable tribal officers to provide a higher
level of service to the Mohawk community …-- enhancing the security
of nearly 12 miles of international border between the United States and
Canada," Felton said in a news release.
Chief Lorraine White said the tribe "has moved one giant step closer
toward securing well-deserved respect, honor and independence for our
Tribal Police Department."
District Attorney Derek Champagne is pleased to add the Tribal Police to
his arsenal in the battle against crime in Franklin County.
"The Tribal Police Department has earned a reputation as being one of
the most professional police agencies in the North Country," he said in
a statement.
"These certifications will enhance and further the relationship that the
Tribal Police Department has developed and will improve all
law-enforcement activities in the North Country."