Sheriff’s Office Revokes Peace Officer Powers for Hoopa Tribal Officers

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

HCSORoughly twenty years ago the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and the Hoopa Valley Tribe entered into an agreement that the Hoopa Valley Tribal Police Department will maintain the state standards to enforce state law. Due to the lack of qualified officers to fulfill the Sheriff’s Office mission, the Sheriff has opted to suspend the current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and has revoked peace officers powers from the tribal officers as of Wednesday, September 23, 2015.

According to Public Law 83-280 (PL 280), the Sheriff’s Office is responsible for enforcing state laws on tribal lands. As a result, the Sheriff has increased personnel in the Hoopa and Willow Creek areas and by mid-October three additional deputies will be assigned to these areas. This will bring the total number of deputies in this area to six, plus one Sergeant and one Corporal.

The Sheriff has arranged for two community meetings. The first will be on Tuesday, October 6, 2015, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Hoopa. The second meeting will be on Wednesday, October 7, 2015, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall in Willow Creek. The Sheriff will be present to address this issue.

The Sheriff is committed to providing enhanced patrol coverage and service to the citizens of Hoopa and Willow Creek. It is strongly encouraged for Hoopa and Willow Creek residents to attend either of these meetings.

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Charlie Bean
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Charlie Bean
8 years ago

Increased patrols? They need dedicated patrols to the Klamath-Trinity Area, not call and have to come from the coast and sometimes unless it is a murder take a report later.

I know the Sheriff is trying, yet pulling this MOU is not a good idea. They need people in the area all the time.

nines
Guest
8 years ago

This makes me angry.

Mr.X
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Mr.X
8 years ago

Another day, more stepping on Natives. Why not revoke the HCSO’s right to travel over sovereign lands without paying a $10,000 toll and require a visa application?
Fair is fair….

Shorthohnso
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Shorthohnso
8 years ago

I hope there’s a better reason that we may not be privy to because that seems like the opposite of what’s needed all over the county.
Obviously

Mr.X
Guest
Mr.X
8 years ago

Just a quick question, Kym.

Do the tribal police have to turn their weapons in? Is HCSO taking all their gear as well?
It sounds like a power grab.

Terry L. Clark
Guest
8 years ago

Once again pulling back the veil of “Sovereign Nation”. Occupied Peoples is more like it.