South Dakota offers priority training to tribal officers, explores recognition legislation
South Dakota will offer one police certification course each summer that prioritizes tribal recruits, Division of Criminal Investigation Director Dan Satterlee told the State-Tribal Affairs Committee on Sept. 19, according to South Dakota Searchlight. This year’s class began in August with nine tribal agency officers enrolled, Satterlee said.
Committee members also voted to support drafting legislation for the 2026 session that would formally recognize tribal officers under state law, making assaults against them chargeable as felonies. The panel unanimously endorsed a resolution urging Congress to establish a federal tribal police academy in South Dakota.
During the meeting, Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Police Chief Derris Waukazoo reported 75 arrests and 817 incidents during a recent surge patrol with state troopers. Former Chairwoman Janet Alkire said the effort showed the value of cooperation while reiterating tribal concerns about past claims of cartel activity, according to South Dakota Searchlight.
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