BIA Office of Justice Services

National Native American Heritage Month Red Shawl Day 11/19/19 - Katy and Erica Isennock (Rosebud Lakota) and the OJS Drum group perform a Honor Song for all missing and murdered American Indians and Alaskan Natives.

On October 31, 2019 OJS Standing Rock Agency participated in Treat & Trunk, a safe and fun community Halloween event in Fort Yates, ND. Special guest McGruff was Victim Specialist Gene Hughes. Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Game & Fish and KLND Radio also participated.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) October 2019 The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Southwest Region, in partnership with the Office of Justice Services and Office of Indian Services, Division of Human Services held a DVAM Kick-off event today, October 1, 2019 in Albuquerque, NM. Patricia Mattingly, Regional Director for the Southwest Region opened the event with discussing the importance of increasing awareness about domestic violence as well as honoring victims and survivors of violence. Thanks to all who participated!

On September 17, 2019, BIA OJS Special Agent Marcelino A. ToersBijns, was awarded the Distinguished Career Service Award by the United States Attorney's Office-District of NM. Congratulations SA ToersBijns! Here are a few words from John C. Anderson, United States Attorney-District of New Mexico: In the U.S. Attorney's Office's mission to enforce the law, ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic, and defend the interests of the Nation, we are privileged to partner with an incredible array of federal, state, tribe, and local public servants. Every day, throughout NM, these dedicated individuals steadfastly work to ensure the safety and welfare of all of us who live in the Land of Enchantment. Yet despite the extraordinary work that these men and women perform, their service too often goes unsung. It is therefore my privilege to announce this year's recipients of the U.S. Attorney's Office's Public Service Awards. This ceremony is an opportunity for us to recognize the exceptional work done by deserving individuals who have helped our office to carry out its mission for the people of NM. With the sincere gratitude of all of us at the U.S. Attorney's Office, I congratulate our recipients and their families, and I thank them for their service.

Traditional Honor Song video

28th Annual Indian Law Enforcment Officer's Memorial Ceremony Traditional Honor Song by BIA Law Enforcement Drum Group.

Traditional Flag Song

28th Annual Indian Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial Ceremony Traditional Flag Song by BIA Law Enforcment Drum Group.

2019 BIA OJS Director's Run video two

The 2019 BIA OJS Director's Run in their final stretch!

2019 Director's Run video one

The 2019 BIA OJS Director's Run stepping off at 0600 at the U.S. Indian Police Academy.

U.S. Indian Police Academy Training Updates ICPOTP Class 168 On Monday, new cadets began Class 168 of the Indian Country Police Officer Training Program at the academy. Cadets began orientation to understand the significance of the police officer position serving our communities, and preparing for academic courses.

ICPOTP Class 167 Class Dismissal

United States Indian Police Academy ICPOTP Class 167 Graduation: Class Dismissal-Platoon Leader Robert B. Jackson, Muscogee Creek Nation Tribal Police Department.

ICPOTP Class 167 Honor Song-I.Crow

United States Indian Police Academy ICPOTP Class 167 Graduation: Honor Song-Isaiah Crow, Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.

ICPOTP Class 167 Presentation of Grad. Cert.

United States Indian Police Academy ICPOTP Class 167 Graduation: Presentation of Graduation Certificates-Kristopher L. Brakebill, Colville Tribal Police Department.

ICPOTP Class 167 Platoon Leader Award-R. Jackson

United States Indian Police Academy ICPOTP Class 167 Graduation: Special Awards-Platoon Leader Robert B. Jackson.

ICPOTP Class 167 Keynote Speaker L. Robertson

United States Indian Police Academy ICPOTP Class 167 Graduation: Keynote Speaker Lawrence Robertson, Class 67.

ICPOTP Class 167 Final Inspection (video two)

United States Indian Police Academy ICPOTP Class 167 Graduation: Final Inspection at the Indian Country Law Enforcement Memorial Site. United States Indian Police Academy, Artesia, NM. Lt. Vanessa Montanez and Lt. Jon Hawley. (video two-final inspection)

ICPOTP Class 167 Final Inspection (video one)

United States Indian Police Academy ICPOTP Class 167 Graduation September 17-December 20, 2018 "One Team One Fight 167 Rules The Night" Final Inspection at the Indian Country Law Enforcement Memorial Site. United States Indian Police Academy, Artesia, NM. (video one of two-final inspection)

CLASS 167- INDIAN COUNTRY POLICE OFFICER TRAINING PROGRAM Typically incoming cadets have questions about the first few weeks of training and what to expect at the United States Indian Police Academy. Pictured is Class 167 who is in the third week of training. In addition to written exams, class lectures, and hands-on labs in interviewing, crime scene investigation, basic pistol marksmanship, and drivers training; cadets are learning the professional bearing required of law enforcement officers. Professional development is a daily performance at the academy. Lt/Instructors instill cadets with the expected level of ethics, professional conduct, uniform wear, fitness, integrity, and self discipline. Pictured are cadets on first day at the Indian Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial taking the cadet oath, preparing for uniform inspection; designation of squad and platoon leaders; and the 2.5 mile perimeter run with push-ups and core exercises. The training matches the expected level of performance of Indian Country law enforcement officers. Lt. Montanez is the primary lieutenant and Lt. Hawley is class coordinator for Class 167.

U.S. Indian Police Academy Training Program Updates: Indian Country Police Officer Training Program Class 167 Firearms Safety & Marksmanship

The academy is pleased to announce graduation ceremony for Class 122- Indian Country Correction Officer Training Program at the United States Indian Police Academy on September 15, 2018. USIPA Lt. Bradon James was the primary Lieutenant, Lt. Lillian Satala, class coordinator, and Ms. Gerrie Trujillo, Training Specialist. The academy recognizes detailed training assistants Michael Pelter, Hualipai Adult Detention Center; and Tsuyesva Kelhoyouma (TK), Ramah Navajo Dept of Corrections for their instrumental instruction and assistance to the United States Indian Police Academy. Graduates represent the following departments: Hualapai Adult Detention Center, Navajo Nation-Tuba City Juvenile Corrections, Oglala Sioux Tribe DOC, Navajo Nation-Kayenta Dept of Corrections, White Mountain Apache DOC, Navajo Nation-Crownpoint DOC, BIA-Chief Ignacio Justice Center, Fort Peck Adult Corrections, San Carlos Rehab & Detention Center, Hualapai Juvenile DRC, Laguna Detention Facility, Ramah Navajo DOC, Shoshone Bannock Tribal Corrections, Chehalis Tribal Jail, BIA-Spokane Corrections, Red Lake Detention Services, and Zuni Dept of Corrections. Congratulations new officers!

The academy is pleased to announce graduation ceremony for Class 122- Indian Country Correction Officer Training Program at the United States Indian Police Academy on September 15, 2018. USIPA Lt. Bradon James was the primary Lieutenant, Lt. Lillian Satala, class coordinator, and Ms. Gerrie Trujillo, Training Specialist. The academy recognizes detailed training assistants Michael Pelter, Hualipai Adult Detention Center; and Tsuyesva Kelhoyouma (TK), Ramah Navajo Dept of Corrections for their instrumental instruction and assistance to the United States Indian Police Academy. Graduates represent the following departments: Hualapai Adult Detention Center, Navajo Nation-Tuba City Juvenile Corrections, Oglala Sioux Tribe DOC, Navajo Nation-Kayenta Dept of Corrections, White Mountain Apache DOC, Navajo Nation-Crownpoint DOC, BIA-Chief Ignacio Justice Center, Fort Peck Adult Corrections, San Carlos Rehab & Detention Center, Hualapai Juvenile DRC, Laguna Detention Facility, Ramah Navajo DOC, Shoshone Bannock Tribal Corrections, Chehalis Tribal Jail, BIA-Spokane Corrections, Red Lake Detention Services, and Zuni Dept of Corrections. Congratulations new officers!

A flashback of a few Police Academy Programs from Roswell, Brigham City, Marana, and Artesia era in September. Featured are Classes 13 (Roswell), Class 15 (Brigham City), Class 52 (Marana), and Class 68 (Artesia). Mark your calendars- upcoming 50th Anniversary of the United States Indian Police Academy on March 3, 2019.

Thirty-nine new Corrections Officers graduated from Class 121 of the Indian Country Correction Officer Training Program on July 23, 2018. The academy thanks the honorable Michelle Brown-Yazzie, Chief Judge of the Pueblo of Isleta who provided keynote remarks; and special appreciation extended to Pamela McKenzie and John Regan of the Hualipai Nation Department of Corrections for providing excellent instruction and support to the academy. Primary Lieutenant Lillian Satala led the class with Cpt. Michelle Kedelty leading Class Coordination. Congratulations new Corrections Officers!

Thirty-eight (38) new officers representing thirty Indian Country law enforcement departments graduated from Class 166 Indian Country Police Officer Training Program. The academy recognized their significant team and individual achievements in professionalism, firearms, driving, physical fitness, guide-on, squad and platoon leadership. The class was led by Primary Lieutenant Michael Potter and Coordinating Lieutenant Darius Ward. Congratulations officers!

Honoring the Fallen Officers that dedicated their lives to protecting and serving tribal communities.

The Indian Country Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Service honors tribal, state, local and federal law enforcement personnel working on federal Indian lands who have given their lives in the line of duty. During today’s ceremony, a Roll Call of names of each Fallen Officer is read as a rose was placed at the Memorial for each Officer.

Cadence was loud, proud, and from the heart at the U.S. Indian Police Academy this morning during the OJS Director’s Run.

Nationals Video

District 3 SAC Joe Brooks and Captain Steve Knispel traveled to Supai recently to attend a tribal council meeting which included a discussion on the BIA-OJS law enforcement mission, and looking at how OJS will be assisting with the tribe's SORNA Program. Representatives from the tribe's legal firm and DOJ participated in the meeting. This was SAC Brooks first visit to the Canyon as the SAC. It enabled Joe to meet the tribal council and inform them on district issues and his commitment to providing law enforcement services to the tribes within his district. The visit also enabled the district staff to meet with agency staff and the chief of police as well as detailed staff from Hopi and Mescalero Agencies. For those who are not familiar with Supai, here is a short video of the short chopper ride to the Supai community.