Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association

Montana Sheriffs & Peace Officers Association

Panel hears pleas for tribal, law enforcement cooperation

Cooperation among neighboring law enforcement jurisdictions was a hot topic during a meeting of the state's Tribal Relations Interim Committee on Thursday at the Capitol.

Jim Smith, the co-executive director of the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, said the complex maze of state, county, federal and tribal jurisdictions can be alleviated somewhat if agencies are more familiar with each other. This would keep communities on and off the reservation safer, he said.

These relationships can be strengthened through training and education, Smith said. Agencies in and around the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation recently told Smith that there is great cooperation between tribal authorities and the Blaine County Sheriff's Office on major crimes or search and rescues. But more difficult matters to unravel are administrative issues such as parole and probation, civil paper services and extradition, Smith was told.

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