SKOKOMISH CRIMINAL CODE

SKOKOMISH CRIMINAL CODE

LAW AND ORDER COMMITTEE

9.14.010 Law and Order Committee Membership and Responsibility

9.14.020 Appointment and Membership\

9.14.030 Adoption of Regulations

9.14.010 Law and Order Committee Membership and Responsibility

The Law and Order Committee shall act in an advisory capacity to the Director of the Department of Public Safety and the Tribal council, and shall carry out any related duties assigned to it by the Tribal Council or by ordinance. The functions of the Law and Order Committee include, but are not be limited to:

(a) Assisting in drafting ordinances related to crimes, traffic, or court procedures.

(b) Being represented by at least one member on any hiring committee or interview committee selecting potential police officers.

(d) Reporting to the Tribal Council its recommendations, actions, and decisions.

Except as otherwise specified by ordinance, no recommendation, action or decision of the Law and Order Committee shall become effective until it has been reviewed and approved by the Tribal Council.

9.14.020 Appointment and Membership

The Tribal Council shall appoint a Law and Order Committee which shall consist of six (6) tribal members and the Director of the Department of Public Safety. The six appointed members shall serve three year terms, with two appointed each year to ensure continuity.

(a) The Director of the Department of Public Safety shall be a permanent member of the Law and Order Committee and shall vote only in the case of a tie.

(b) The Law and Order Committee shall not include more than one member of any immediate family as defined in the "Skokomish Indian Tribe Manual of Personnel Policies and Procedures."

(c) No person shall be a member of the Law and Order Committee who has been convicted of a felony under state or federal law or of a class "A" violation under Skokomish Tribal Ordinance.

(d) No person shall be a member of the Law and Order Committee who has, within the past 24 months, accumulated more than two misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor arrests or class B, C, or D violations of the Skokomish Tribal Code, or one misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor arrest or class "B," "C," or "D" violations of the Skokomish Tribal Code involving a crime of violence (assault, etc.).

(e) If any member of the Law and Order Committee is arrested or cited for any of the above violations, they shall be suspended from participating in the Law and Order Committee's business until the Tribal Council has an opportunity to review the circumstances of the arrest/citation. The Tribal Council will determine if the person may continue on the Law and Order Committee until the case is settled in court.

(f) If a Committee member resigns or a position otherwise becomes vacant before that term expires, the Tribal Council shall appoint another qualified Tribal Member to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.

(g) Members of the Law and Order Committee shall not serve more than five years (60 months) without a break of one year. The purpose of this proviso is to allow a person appointed to fill a partial term to fill one full term following the partial term.

9.14.030 Adoption of Regulations

From time to time it may be necessary for the Director of Public Safety to initiate regulations as directed by the Tribal Council or Tribal Ordinance. The Law and Order Committee shall assist in the preparation of these regulations.

Such regulations shall be approved in advance by the Tribal Council prior to implementation whenever possible. In emergency situations, the Director may implement regulations without approval of the Law and Order Committee, however such regulations shall be reviewed and approved, rejected, or modified by the Tribal Council at their next regularly scheduled meeting.

Regulations implemented by the Director of Public Safety and approved by the Tribal Council shall be posted at all Tribal Office buildings, Twin Totems, and in the "Sounder" newsletter.