Some current issues are unique to reservations, however. In the sections below is described the types of crimes, criminal activity, perpetrators and victims the tribal police departments see today. Next discussed are issues concerning current community involvement. Finally current tribal police department jurisdiction and resource issues are discussed.
Most reservations have some areas and seasons where crime is more concentrated than others.
Department heads also can easily describe likely perpetrators and victims. Less serious non-violent crimes provide the bulk of law enforcement problems on reservations as on many other rural, sparsely populated areas. For example, on many reservations there may not be even one murder per year. The combination of unemployment, poverty, and alcoholism however, can result in crime, disturbances of the peace, and a perception of disorder. For example, in parts of the county with pronounced seasonal weather changes crime varies with the seasons, increasing in the warmer months when people are more easily irritated, agitated, and mobile.