The FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs will be working closer to improve law enforcement in Indian Country according to an agreement announced during the recent White House Tribal Nations Summit.
According to a Dec. 1 U.S. Department of Justice news release, the two groups signed an agreement establishing guidelines to help improve criminal investigations in the area. This is the first updated memorandum of understanding between the two agencies since the early 1990s.
"This agreement is a crucial step to advancing public safety for American Indian and Alaska Native communities," Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said in the release. "The Department of Justice is committed to working with the Department of the Interior to investigate Indian Country crimes, including reports of missing or murdered Indigenous people, quickly, effectively and respectfully. We are grateful to the Tribes that provided input into this new policy."
The BIA Office of Justice Services and the FBI will cooperate on investigations and share information, the release reported. The agreement also outlined jurisdiction and investigative roles from the law enforcement agencies.
Additionally, there will be training on trauma-informed, culturally responsive investigative approaches for BIA, FBI and Tribal law enforcement officers, according to the release.
"The FBI is committed to ongoing and continued collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Affairs," FBI Director Christopher Wray said in the release. "The FBI has a crucial role in successfully addressing matters in the nation’s Indian Country communities and this updated MOU affirms our dedication to the mission of protecting all Americans. The FBI will not waver in its support of our Tribal law enforcement agency partners and our coordination with the Bureau of Indian Affairs."
Interagency coordination "is absolutely critical" because of jurisdictional complexities in Tribal communities, Indian Affairs Assistant Secretary Bryan Newland said, according to the release.
"This agreement supports an all-of-government approach to addressing federal responsibilities and Tribal needs in Indian Country," Newland said in the release. "All federal agencies share a treaty and trust responsibility to protect Tribal sovereignty and revitalize Tribal communities. This partnership will further support our efforts to keep Native people safe in their homes and communities."
