Several federal agencies are helping law enforcement in tribal communities.
WASHINGTON, D.C.-The Department of the Interior's Victim Assistance Program has partnered with the U.S. Department of Justice's National Indian Country Training Initiative, U.S. Indian Police Academy, FBI, DEA and ATF to curb violent crime in Indian Country. Through this partnership, several federal agencies have joined forces to offer a comprehensive training series aimed at improving how law enforcement and service providers respond to violent crime and enhance support for victims in tribal communities.
The training series kicked off in May, with a live webinar on responding to domestic violence and strangulation incidents with nearly 900 participants, which included tribal, federal and state law enforcement officers, medical professionals and victim advocates.
"This series shows what we can accomplish when agencies work together," said Glen Melville, Deputy Bureau Director of the Office of Tribal Justice. "By combining our expertise, we're making sure those on the front lines have the tools and knowledge they need to protect victims and hold offenders accountable."
The series will continue throughout the year, offering no-cost, virtual training to those working in tribal justice, public safety and victim services. Training sessions include topics such as Child Abduction Rapid Deployment, Privately-Made Firearms, Conducting the Trauma-Informed Interview, Introduction to Crime Gun Intelligence, BIA Division of Drug Enforcement, Beyond the Arrest: Victim-Centered Excellence in Criminal Investigations and more.
Most sessions are open to professionals in law enforcement, victim services, health care and social services at the tribal, federal and state levels. While some topics are restricted to law enforcement, the series is designed to equip all who serve Indian Country with the skills and knowledge to respond to violence with professionalism, compassion and cultural sensitivity and to build safer, stronger tribal communities.
For more information, contact the National Indian Country Training Initiative at usipatraining@bia.gov.
