    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [August 25, 1997]
    [Page 1116]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Memorandum on Law Enforcement in Indian Country
    August 25, 1997

    Memorandum for the Attorney General, the Secretary of the Interior

    Subject: Law Enforcement in Indian Country

        I am proud of my Administration's progress in reducing violent crime
    and improving public safety for our Nation's citizens. Our efforts are
    making an important difference. Nationwide, the violent crime rate has
    dropped approximately 17 percent since 1992, and the homicide rate has
    declined about 22 percent.
        Unfortunately, during the same time period life has become more
    violent for the 1.2 million Indian citizens who live on or near
    reservations. Homicide rates, for example, have increased to levels that
    often surpass those in large American cities. Numbers alone, however,
    cannot convey the tragic impact of such violence on Indian families and
    their communities.
        This and other information you have provided to me make clear that
    we need to refocus on this growing problem. While some tribal
    governments have developed strong law enforcement programs, many others
    have encountered significant difficulty in doing so. Many Indian
    citizens receive police, investigative, and detention services that lag
    far behind even this country's poorest jurisdictions.
        The Federal Government has taken steps to address this problem. My
    Administration has sought increased Department of the Interior funding
    and tribal control of law enforcement programs on Indian lands. This
    year, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) established an Office of
    Indian Country Investigations in its Violent Crimes Section, allocating
    additional agents to Indian Country. The FBI also initiated a nationwide
    outreach training program for Indian Country law enforcement officers.
    We have created additional tribal liaison positions in the United States
    Attorney's Offices in Indian Country, intended to improve our ability to
    bring offenders to justice. Through our Community Oriented Policing
    Services Program, we have assisted tribal law enforcement agencies in
    hiring officers in Indian Country.
        Yet, law enforcement in Indian Country remains a serious problem.
    For these reasons, consistent with the spirit of my 1994 memorandum on
    government-to-government relations and tribal self governance, I hereby
    request that you work with tribal leaders to analyze law enforcement
    problems on Indian lands. By December 31, 1997, you should provide
    options to me for improving public safety and criminal justice in Indian
    Country. To the extent that these options might affect the Departments'
    budgets, they should be included in your fiscal year 1999 budget
    submissions and should be consistent with the funding targets of the
    Bipartisan Balanced Budget Agreement.

                                                          William J. Clinton