U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

Coordinated Tribal Assistance Program

Celebrating 50 Years of American Indian Self-Determination

RED WING - CROW APSAROKE TRIBE, Staff Sgt. Brittinie Alvarez, 50th Security Forces Squadron, Jim Thorpe

Today marks a milestone in relations between the federal government and Indian nations. Fifty years ago today, President Richard M. Nixon delivered a special message to Congress announcing a new era of self-determination for American Indian tribes. “The time has come to break decisively with the past,” he said, “and to create the conditions for a new era in which the Indian future is determined...

Drug Courts Offer a Second Chance

Drug Courts Offer Second Chance

I recently spoke during the annual conference of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.  I appreciated the opportunity to address these outstanding professionals in light of an ongoing crisis affecting our nation:  addiction and crime.

During my 11 years as a trial court judge in Colorado, I launched both a drug court and DUI court, and saw first-hand the impact they make.  Overseeing these...

CTAS in Action: Iowa Tribe of Nebraska and Kansas Use DOJ Grant to Improve Public Safety

 

Iowa Tribe
A police officer from the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska uses his laptop during a routine patrol on the tribe's reservation.  The tribe received a 2017 Department of Justice grant under the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation, enabling the Iowa Tribe PD to purchase new equipment and receive critical training to remain certified in two states to provide public safety services. (Courtesy photo Iowa Tribe Police Department)

Providing public safety services on a reservation of more than 12,000 acres across two states is a daunting but necessary task for the six full-time and two part- time law enforcement officers of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska.

The eight-person department is responsible for providing all public safety services for the tribe of 700 members.

Before the department became operational 24/7 in...

Law Enforcement Resources

OJP, along with DOJ partners, are committed to supporting and protecting America's law enforcement. Featured resources include officer safety & wellness, DOJ resources, VALOR, tribal law enforcement, and helping law enforcement combat opioids.