Oregon lawmakers give tribal police full authority

[xchrom]

http://indiancountrynews.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11934&Itemid=109

The Oregon Legislature voted to give tribal police the same off-reservation authority as non-tribal officers, despite objections from county sheriffs who said the measure would open the door to lawsuits and give tribal officers unprecedented authority.

The House and Senate both approved the measure after some Republican lawmakers in the House argued the bill doesn’t have enough oversight to ensure the tribes comply with state law. The measure now goes to Gov. John Kitzhaber who has said he supports the bill.

It would give tribal officers limited authority off reservations for two years, including the power to continue pursuing suspects who leave tribal land and to take action when a crime is committed in front of them.

Beginning in 2013, the measure then expands the authority of tribal officers, giving them full police authority through 2015. Republicans Andy Olson of Albany, Greg Smith of Heppner and Matt Wingard of Wilsonville joined all 30 Democrats in approving the measure in the House on a 33-25 vote. The Senate approved 19-10.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

1. This is good.

criminals have been using this trick for years.

[xchrom]

2. indeed. i agree w/ you. nt