Central South Dakota News

U.S. Senator Mike Rounds has formally requested the Department of Interior to consider establishing a permanent tribal law enforcement training center in the Great Plains region. In a letter addressed to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, Rounds highlighted the challenges faced by tribal law enforcement agencies due to the current training location.

Currently, most tribal law enforcement officers receive their basic training at the Indian Police Academy located in Artesia, New Mexico. This distance poses recruitment challenges, as noted by several tribal law enforcement leaders. The shortage of personnel is exacerbating public safety issues within several tribal communities.

"Many law enforcement leaders believe providing additional training options on the Great Plains could help build greater law enforcement capacity throughout the region," Rounds stated in his letter. He urged Secretary Burgum to collaborate with Congress to identify potential sites for new training facilities.

The letter emphasized that many Great Plains tribal law enforcement agencies are understaffed, with some having only two officers patrolling vast areas during shifts. This shortage contributes significantly to a growing public safety crisis, with some tribes experiencing violent crime rates five times higher than the national average.

Rounds pointed out that while most officers currently train at the Indian Police Academy, there are opportunities for local training expansion. Tribal officers can attend state police academies if they later complete a Bridge Training Program. Last summer's session at the South Dakota Law Enforcement Training Center for 13 recruits was cited as an encouraging development.

The senator concluded by expressing his eagerness to work with Secretary Burgum on addressing these issues and improving law enforcement capacity in the region.