BADGES Act Would Improve Safety in Native Communities

By Isaac White.

A bipartisan effort would strengthen law enforcement and improve public safety throughout Indian Country, as U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and John Hoeven (R-N.D.) have introduced the Bridging Agency Data Gaps & Ensuring Safety (BADGES) for Native Communities Act. This comprehensive legislation seeks to enhance Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) law enforcement recruitment and retention, streamline federal missing persons resources, and provide Tribes and states with vital tools to tackle the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

A champion of efforts to curb the MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) crisis, Senator Cortez Masto played a key role in passing the bipartisan Not Invisible Act and Savanna’s Act, which became law to safeguard Native women and girls. Cortez Masto has also consistently advocated for federal funding to assist Tribal communities in combatting violence. “I’m doing all I can to ensure that Tribal law enforcement agencies have what they need to serve their communities, recruit and train officers, and bring perpetrators to justice,” she said. “My bill will give Tribal law enforcement access to more federal resources and improve coordination across agencies, strengthening public safety and protecting Native families.”

Senator Hoeven, a former chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, emphasized the importance of equipping Tribal law enforcement agencies to serve their communities effectively. “Supporting Tribal law enforcement officers and agencies better equips them to serve their communities and keep the public safe,” Hoeven said. “Our bill includes bipartisan legislation I previously introduced to allow BIA to conduct their own background checks on applicants, helping get more officers on the job. The BADGES for Native Communities Act is about improving public safety and enhancing available resources in Tribal communities.”

Key provisions of the legislation include:

Enhancing Tribal access to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), which will involve appointing facilitators to liaise with Tribes and law enforcement, offer training, and conduct outreach to improve case resolution.

Requiring a report on Tribal law enforcement needs, including staffing, facility repairs and upgrades, and emergency communication technology.

Authorizing the BIA to conduct its own background checks on law enforcement applicants to facilitate officer recruitment.

Creating a grant program to support Tribes and states in coordinating responses to missing and murdered persons and sexual assault cases.

Evaluating federal law enforcement evidence collection, handling, and processing practices to strengthen convictions against violent offenders.

Ensuring BIA officers and Tribal police have access to culturally appropriate mental health and wellness programs.

Additionally, the legislation mandates a five-year demonstration program that will allow the BIA to manage personnel background investigations for law enforcement applicants internally. The Government Accountability Office is also tasked with investigating federal evidence collection practices and other related procedures.

Senator Cortez Masto reiterated her commitment to addressing the violence epidemic facing Native women and girls. She has previously urged the federal government to draft a comprehensive plan and has requested the Government Accountability Office to evaluate federal responses to this crisis. Further, she successfully secured historic funding for the Byrne JAG grant program in the FY2022 omnibus, which is a leading source of criminal justice funding for state, local, and Tribal governments.

The bill has broad bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, not solely from Cortez Masto and Hoeven. “Native American communities and law enforcement agencies face an uphill battle investigating cases of missing and murdered indigenous women due to lack of access to coordinated federal crime data,” said Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA). “This legislation provides critical federal resources and access to criminal databases to tribal law enforcement so they can effectively investigate these cases and help end the MMIW crisis.”

“For years, the federal government has failed to provide tribal communities the resources needed to adequately ensure public safety and properly support Tribal law enforcement agencies,” said Rep. Ruben Gallego. “I’m proud to introduce this important legislation today, which will help recruit and retain Tribal law enforcement officers, address the unmet public safety needs of Tribal communities and improve coordination between Tribal, federal, and state agencies in Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons cases. This is a widely supported, bipartisan effort, and I look forward to finally getting this bill passed.”

“Increasing coordination between federal, state, and tribal law enforcement agencies will improve public safety in tribal communities and help address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous peoples. I am once again proud to join my colleagues in introducing the bipartisan BADGES Act, which will provide additional support to tribal law enforcement officers as they protect tribal communities,” said Rep. Sharice Davids.

The BADGES for Native Communities Act represents a step forward in providing Tribal law enforcement with the necessary resources to protect Native communities effectively and pursue justice for victims. By enhancing data sharing, improving officer recruitment processes, and providing culturally appropriate mental health programs, the legislation will empower agencies to better serve their communities.

The act’s comprehensive approach to coordinating federal and Tribal efforts reflects a vital commitment to addressing the longstanding crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and ensuring that Native families receive the justice they deserve. This legislation not only symbolizes a renewed dedication to safety and justice but also paves the way for stronger, safer, and more resilient Tribal communities across the nation.