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.

[Birdguy]

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.

Believe I saw something very recently about the tribe(s) netting in Roosevelt for Northern Pike in the very near future. Part of the plan to keep tabs on size and location of the invasive fish.

[Happy Gilmore]

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?

All Washington LEO agencies have a statewide interagency agreement. They a cop like any cop. Speed, dui, fish, hunt, whatever, they can write it if, you be a criminal.

[Bullkllr]

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?

All Washington LEO agencies have a statewide interagency agreement. They a cop like any cop. Speed, dui, fish, hunt, whatever, they can write it if, you be a criminal.

Tribal police officers under subsection (2) of this section shall be recognized and authorized to act as general authority Washington peace officers. A tribal police officer recognized and authorized to act as a general authority Washington peace officer under this section has the same powers as any other general authority Washington peace officer to enforce state laws in Washington, including the power to make arrests for violations of state laws.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=10.92&full=true

[Henrydog]

Thanks brain trust!  Makes sense just have never seen them out before, and I have spent a lot of time on the water here