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Muckleshoot Tribal Police Department
The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe is a sovereign Indian Nation located in southeast King County. The tribe's geographical boundaries lie in three jurisdictions: Pierce County, the City of Auburn, and unincorporated King County.
The reservation falls under Public Law 280 jurisdiction, with police services supplied by both King County and Auburn.
As an unincorporated jurisdiction, the Tribe already receives base-level police services from the King County Sheriff's Office. However, in an effort to enhance police presence on the Reservation and add supplemental services, the Tribe elected to form its own police department to provide additional services to Tribe members including crime prevention training, block watches, and community action programs. Additionally, the deputies employ problem-solving techniques to deter crime within the tribal community, interact with and mentor tribal youth, provide special emphasis for issues concerning the community, and build partnerships with community members to prevent crime.
Currently the Muckleshoot Police Department consists of the police chief, a storefront deputy, a school resource officer, a Muckleshoot Housing Authority deputy and numerous reactive/proactive patrol deputies who form a Community Response Team.
The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and the Sheriff's Office have partnered together to provide Tribal police services since 2000.
"When the Muckleshoot Tribe first partnered with the King County Sheriff’s Office, I was selected to become one of the first deputies assigned to the department. Being Native American myself, it was a perfect assignment for me. Other deputies said that it would be a challenge to work the reservation, because of the Tribe members' perception toward law enforcement in general. At that time, I knew we had our work cut out for us as law enforcement officers to change the perception, so that we could be effective in fighting crime together.
Working first shift allowed me to be visible during the day in the villages, have a presence at the Tribal School, and have lunch with Tribal Elders. I would wave at the Tribal children playing in yards and parks, and I would stop and introduce myself to community members. Initially, no one would chat with me and the children seemed afraid. Now, kids flag us down for stickers and community members stop by the office just to chat. We are invited to and expected to attend community events such as powwows, community dinners and holiday events. I believe that speaks volumes.
The partnership has grown and matured significantly since I started. In addition to the department's growth, we now also work closely with Muckleshoot Child and Family Services (CPS), Muckleshoot Housing Authority, and Muckleshoot Behavioral Health and Adult Protective Services, just to name a few. We also have a partnership with the Auburn Police Department to have a dedicated Auburn officer assisting with law enforcement matters for the portion of the Reservation within Auburn's city limits."
- Sue Aagerup, Deputy, Muckleshoot Tribal Police Department