The Navajo Council’s Law & Order Committee is now on Legislation 0186-14, Approving the amended Memorandum of Agreement between the Navajo Nation Gaming (Gambling) Enterprise and the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety and the amended Navajo Division of Public Safety Fund Management Plan.
SPONOSOR, L&O COMMITTEE MEMBER ALTON SHEPHERD
the tribe has four casinos and this MOU, which is for fund management plan and how it would be used, was presented several months ago and this MOU is for tribal police officers to be casinos. and 0186-14 would also block any un-used funds in the management plan to revert back into the tribal general funds at the end of the budget year.
NAVAJO DIVISION OF PUBLIC SAFETY SUPPORT SERVICES HERBERT TSOSIE
need to buy new uniforms for tribal police officers and other equipment so pressed for time. new language of “non expire” helps us to help officers. the last time officers had new officers was three years ago. just an example of what we need to do to work together.
L&O COMMITTEE MEMBER DELEGATE RUSSELL BEGAYE
We have this huge need for tribal police officers to be at tribal casinos and there was a proposal to bring in other law enforcemnt. And i asked what happened to those funds that were set aside for tribal officers at casinos and i was told that the money was used to buy police vehicles.
i was told that a police vehicle could be parked at tribal casinos and that would deter any unlawful activities.
but i’m concerned that the funds for officers at casinos is bein used for division of public safety. and now those funds are to be used for police uniforms instead of police services at casinos.
NAVAJO DIVISION OF PUBLIC SAFETY SUPPORT SERVICES HERBERT TSOSIE
we had meeting with Gaming Office attorney Ray Etsitty and each casino had different requests/needs for police. Other items included serving alcohol and over serving, crimes on casino premises, MOU Twin Arrows and County for law enforcement services. But just communication between Gaming Office and police. we also realized we need to include Social Services. And we also realized that the response time from fire and emergency services needed to be improved.
SPONSOR, L&O COMMITTEE MEMBER DELEGATE ALTON SHEPHERD
We don’t these funds to lapse and another concern is transport. at prior meeting there was a concern regarding police presence at tribal casinos. i’m also concerned about media reporting that there is no law enforcement at tribal casinos.
VOTE ON LEGISLATION 0186-14, 3 IN FAVOR, 0 OPPOSED
