PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release:
Seskehko:wa / Septemb er 1 , 2005

For information contact:
Public Information Office
St. Regis Mohawk Tribe
Tel: (518) 358-2272 ext. 236
Fax: (518) 358-9675 

AKWESASNE , N.Y. —The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council received good news as New York State Governor George Pataki signed legislation that restored the Tribal Police Department’s law enforcement capabilities. The Governor approved the Police Bill on August 23^rd and it passed both chambers of the State Legislature in June 2005.

The legislation is now law and it enables the tribal police to provide for a safer Akwesasne community and region. The restored police powers also enhance the police department’s enforcement work along the U.S.-Canadian border.

"Our police officers will be pleased to learn that their full law enforcement powers have finally been restored," said Tribal Chief of Police Andrew Thomas. "It was a huge morale boost when it passed the State Assembly and State Senate this summer. Governor Pataki’s approval of our Police Bill greatly helps our efforts in protecting the safety of Akwesasne and providing frontline border enforcement.”

The Tribal Police Department is comprised of 13 full-time police officers responsible for law enforcement on the U.S.-side of the Akwesasne community. In addition to serving Akwesasne, tribal police officers advance security and safety issues by patrolling nearly 12 miles of international border comprised of islands and rivers.

Since 2000 however, the tribal police’s authority to enforce the border and other criminal activities have been limited to arresting Natives, but not non-Natives. Tribal police were only authorized to detain non-Natives and to turn them over to the appropriate authorities.

The Governor’s approval of the legislation reinstates their policing powers and gives tribal police the same powers as the State Police. They will be certified by the New York State Police and will have the ability to arrest anyone for crimes they commit in the Akwesasne community.

"The role of our police department has transformed and it has cooperated with numerous law enforcement agencies beyond our community," said Tribal Chief Barbara A. Lazore. Chief Lazore noted that, "The law gives them broader police powers and helps them to better assist surrounding law enforcement agencies on joint investigations, providing mutual assistance and protecting the border."

Akwesasne’s unique geographic location has made it an operational challenge for border enforcement agencies like the U.S. Border Patrol. As a result, the Tribal Police Department works closely with border enforcement agencies, such as the Integrated Border Enforcement Team, U.S. Customs, Border Patrol, FBI, State Police, and their Canadian counterparts.

According to Tribal Chief James W. Ransom, “The cooperation of the Tribal Police Department is essential in providing effective border enforcement.” Chief Ransom added, “A number of law enforcement agencies have been in strong support of restoring their police powers and improving our region’s first line of defense. Our police officers are ideally suited to patrol this stretch of border as officers are Akwesasne residents with an intimate knowledge of the territory.”

The Senate bill was sponsored State Senator Elizabeth O’C Little (R-Queensbury), with the Assembly version sponsored by Darrel J. Aubertine (D-Cape Vincent).  The legislation had the support of the Tribal Council, Franklin County District Attorney’s Office , U.S. District Court and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  

“The Tribe appreciates all the support that the legislation has received and the patience of the tribal police as it made its way into law,” Tribal Chief Lorraine M. White said. Chief White added, “We want to thank Senator Little and Assemblyman Aubertine for sponsoring the bill and look forward to helping protect local, state and national interests.”

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