02/04/10

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ A northern Idaho human rights group says one
of the region's county sheriffs is refusing to cooperate with the
Coeur d'Alene Indian Tribe on law enforcement matters.

As a result, the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations
Wednesday called for legislation to allow Idaho tribal police
officers to arrest or cite non-tribal members violating state law
on reservations.

According to the bill, suspects would be sent to state court.

Christie Wood, a task force leader, wrote in an open letter to
Idaho lawmakers that Benewah County Sheriff Bob Kirts won't respond
to calls by the tribe for help on reservation crimes and has
refused to initiate a cross-deputization agreement with tribal
police.

Without such an agreement, tribal police can't currently arrest
non-tribal members on Indian territory.

Kirts didn't immediately return a phone call seeking comment.


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