An article for Law360 details the difficulties that law enforcement agencies face in attempting to regulate and ensure public safety in Indian Country, an area of jurisdiction which includes the United States’ 300 reservations as well as other tribal lands.

As a result of these difficulties some communities have turned to cross-deputization, which allows tribal officers to be deputized with the authority of the local county sheriff’s department, and for sheriff’s deputies to be given authority by the tribe.

The article argues that these agreements can help agencies more effectively pursue justice for victims, but that it is often a difficult arrangement and not a permanent solution.

Read the full article here.