Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed a new law that would support law enforcement efforts and inter-governmental cooperation between the Oneida Indian Nation and Oneida and Madison County.
The legislation allows Madison and Oneida counties to enter into agreements with the Oneida Indian Nation to house inmates in their jails pursuant to orders issued by the Oneida Indian Nation Court.
“The collaboration between the Oneida Indian Nation Police Department, Oneida Sheriff’s Office and Madison County Sheriff’s Office has made our communities safer and become a national model for tribal and local public safety coordination,” said Oneida Indian Nation Representative Ray Halbritter said in a statement.
“This legislation will help deepen our partnership and improve our efforts to make our region a safe place to live, visit and work. We are grateful to Senator (Joseph) Griffo and Assembly Member Pamela Hunter for their efforts to pass this legislation into law.”
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The legislation was introduced by State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-Rome, and the senator’s office said it continues Griffo’s long-time support for increased partnership between regional governments and law enforcement agencies, which has dramatically enhanced public safety in local communities.
The 2013 Agreement between the Oneida Indian Nation, New York State, and Oneida and Madison counties, which resolved all legal disputes and created a new era of collaboration in the region, created the pathway for the recently passed legislation, officials said.
In addition to enabling the passage of Griffo’s new legislation, the 2013 Agreement has generated more than $700 million in Silver Covenant payments to support public safety initiatives in local communities along with other public programs and allowed the deputization of Oneida Indian Nation Police Department officers by the Oneida and Madison County Sheriffs’ Offices to increase on-duty officer availability and expand coordination between agencies.
"This legislation marks a significant milestone in our ongoing partnership with the Oneida Indian Nation,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. said in a statement.
"By allowing Oneida and Madison counties to enter into county-tribal detention agreements, we are strengthening our collaborative efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of all our residents. This agreement not only reinforces our commitment to public safety, but also demonstrates the power of cooperation between regional governments and law enforcement agencies. I thank Sen. Griffo and Assemblywoman Hunter for their efforts to usher this bill into law. Together, we are building safer, more resilient communities for everyone."
Under the new legislation, criminal defendants may be remanded to the county facilities under Oneida Indian Nation court directives issued pursuant the Oneida Indian Nation Rules of Criminal Procedure and consistent with the federal Indian Civil Rights Act.
“I am pleased that this bill has been signed into law by the governor and thank Assemblywoman Hunter for working with me on this issue,” said Griffo, in a statement. “This legislation will support law enforcement efforts in the region and is a further expression of inter-governmental cooperation between the Oneida Indian Nation and Oneida and Madison counties.”
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Hochul signs new law supporting law enforcement, cooperation with Oneida Indian Nation
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