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(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman and Attorney General Jon Bruning today announced the signing of cross-deputization agreements with the Omaha and Winnebago Tribes to expand and clarify the law enforcement capabilities of the Nebraska State Patrol in Thurston County.
“I know there is significant resistance to this change in Thurston County, but my first responsibility as Governor is public safety,” Gov. Heineman said. “After consulting with the Attorney General, the Nebraska State Patrol and hearing from residents, it is clear that these agreements are the best way for our state to protect all the residents of Thurston County.”
Attorney General Bruning said, “This agreement is about public safety. Many crimes are going unpunished in Thurston County because of complex jurisdictional issues that make it unclear who has the authority to enforce the law in a particular location. This agreement will clarify those issues by allowing our state troopers to enforce the law throughout the county.”
The agreements, including the renewal of one with the Winnebago Tribe that has operated successfully since 1986 and a new cross-deputization agreement with the Omaha Tribe, will allow deputized members of the State Patrol to arrest lawbreakers regardless of race or location and will allow deputized Native officers to do the same on tribal lands.
Both agreements clarify that non-Native suspects face charges and criminal prosecution in state or federal courts, regardless of where they are arrested or which agency arrests them. The agreements also require all law enforcement officers who will exercise the cross-deputization authority to be certified by the State of Nebraska.
State Patrol troopers and qualified tribal officers will begin the process of certification after the agreements become effective. Public notice will be given to Native and non-Native residents of Thurston County when any new officers are certified under the terms of the cross-deputization agreements. State Patrol troopers and tribal officers who act inappropriately can have their State of Nebraska certifications revoked.
Col. Bryan Tuma, Superintendent of the State Patrol, said, “These agreements will ensure our troopers are available to provide assistance, aid in investigations, and assist with communications, no matter the boundaries.”
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