The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Office of Law Enforcement Services (OLES), in cooperation with the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians and the Red Lake Tribal Department of Public Safety, implemented a program review on the Law Enforcement Services program, beginning August 23, 2004, as part of the BIA’s mandatory annual review process.

      This review, was in part, at the request of the Red Lake Tribal Council and Chairman’s Office, as part of the Tribal Council’s new transition for newly elected Tribal Council members, as well as, concerns brought to the attention of the BIA with regard to the high volume of violent crimes and drug trafficking attributed to gang activity.

      Currently, the BIA has mobilized the Aberdeen District I Command Post, four (4) uniformed Police Officers, four (4) Special Agents, and one (1) Communications Officer to assist with the review. They will remain in the Red Lake area for the next 2 weeks to conduct physical inspections, community meetings and assessments, as well as service providers who work closely wtih Tribal Law Enforcement Services for the development of recommendations and action plan to address community concerns.

      This review is historically significant as it is the first time that the BIA has conducted a program review on a “self-governance” Tribe and Tribal program. Until recently, a Self Governance operated program was believed to be significantly different from a “93-638" contract tribal program. The Red Lake Tribal Council and the Chairman’s Office are commended for this proactive approach to identifying program deficiences for the purpose of improving law enforcement services to the residents of the Red Lake Indian Reservation.