Bureau of Indian Affairs Police Officers

The United States Bureau of Indian Affairs is responsible for administering and managing over 55 million acres of Native American land held in trust by the federal government. The Office of Justice Services within the Bureau of Indian Affairs is responsible for operating/funding law enforcement, detention, corrections, inspections, criminal investigations, tribal courts, and Indian police training, among other things.

Police Officers assigned to the Bureau of Indian Affairs will find themselves enforcing various laws on Indian reservations throughout the United States. Due to various pacts, treaties, and laws in place, Bureau of Indian Affairs Police Officers may often be required to enforce local, state, and federal laws in the performance of their duties. The same opportunities for career advancement exist within the Bureau of Indian Affairs Police as with any other traditional law enforcement agencies. Officers conduct patrol operations, undercover operations, serve on various task forces, investigate all levels of crime, make arrests, testify in court, and receive all the best law enforcement training that the federal government has to offer.

Prior to being hired as a Bureau of Indian Affairs Police Officer, applicants are expected to meet certain medical, physical, and psychological requirements as well as undergo a few tests to ensure an applicant's suitability. Other requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent, successfully passing a background investigation, possession of a driver's license, ability to possess a firearm, and a minimum age of 21 years old (maximum age is 37) at time of appointment.

Applicants, once hired, will attend sixteen weeks of formal law enforcement and criminal investigative training at the Indian Police Academy in Artesia, New Mexico.

Bureau of Indian Affairs Police Officers receive a wide range of employment benefits including health insurance, life insurance, over time, and in some instances, locality pay. Also, between 13 and 26 days of leave, depending on length of employment, are accrued each year. Sick leave accrues at the rate of 13 days a year and 10 paid holidays are currently observed. Retirement is available with 20 years of federal law enforcement service at age 50. Retirement is mandatory at age 57.

Police officers may continue to rise in their own ranks all the way through to a Chief of Police or other management position within the tribal police force, or they may choose to turn in their uniform for a "Special Agent" title with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The job of a Bureau of Indian Affairs Police Officer is both exciting and rewarding, but it is also very competitive. Those interested in applying to be a part of this dynamic law enforcement agency are urged to take steps to start beefing up their resumes now rather than later.

Sources:

DOI Law Enforcement Jobs. Police Officer. Department of the Interior.