Tribal police on Roosevelt jurisdiction

[Henrydog]

Saturday we fished the Spokane Arm of Roosevelt.  Pretty good walleye day, decent weather all in all a good day.  My kid landed his personal best 9lbs wally.  But soon our main discussion in the boat was we watched a Spokane Tribel Police boat, a green North River, cruise up and down the river.  They went into a couple of beaches.  They did not check anyone but pulled to shore a couple of times.  No one was on the beach fishing.  I understand they patrol their land (north side of the river) but am I incorrect in thinking they have no jurisdiction to stop anyone on the water since it is a federal waterway?

[dwils233]

I think there's a couple ways they could have jurisdiction, but I have no idea if they do?

-A Formal MOU or joint enforcement agreement with the NPS

-Sovereignty agreement/reservation borders that extend to the middle of the lake

-Something written into the Lake Roosevelt designation agreement

Not an exhaustive list and not definitive, but it's definitely possible. Honestly, from what I understand of both Lake Roosevelt enforcement staff levels and current WDFW game warden staff levels....probably not a bad thing to have them out there. Even just for safety and on-water response these days.

[Henrydog]

Agree...not a bad thing to have them out on the water.  Kid and I just discussed for hours IF they could do anything on the water to a non member?

[Stein]

I have had similar thoughts about the City of Everett PD patrolling out in MA 8 & 9, I assumed the situation was there was an additional agreement in place beyond their normal jurisdictional boundaries.

[baldopepper]

Possible they weren't doing enforcement at all.  Last year about this time one of their boats pulled into the cove by my place and the guys said they were doing a little pre scouting for net placement. About a month later they did put one out.

[ASHQUACK]

Some tribal police have cross commission with their areas agency giving them jurisdiction outside the actual reservation. Say, Squaxin police carry a Mason County commission they are able to commit law enforcement activities outside their jurisdictional boundaries.