In a significant move to address the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous persons in California, Assembly Bill 2138 was presented at a recent government meeting. This bill proposes a three-year pilot project within the Department of Justice that would grant peace officer status to qualified tribes, a step aimed at enhancing law enforcement capabilities on tribal lands.

The discussion highlighted the alarming statistics surrounding the investigation of crimes against Native Americans, with California ranking fifth in the nation for inadequate investigations on Indian reservations. The bill's sponsor emphasized the historical context of this issue, referencing Public Law 280, enacted in 1953, which effectively stripped federal protections from Indian reservations and placed the responsibility for law enforcement solely on the state. This law has been criticized for fostering a climate of lawlessness and neglect regarding crimes against Indigenous people.

Testimonies from tribal leaders, including Chairman Joe James of the Yurok Tribe, underscored the urgent need for a unified approach to policing on reservations. Currently, tribal policing is inconsistent and dependent on local sheriff agreements, which can change at any time. The Yurok Tribe has taken steps to deputize its police under existing California laws, but this arrangement lacks the stability and authority that a statewide policy would provide.

The bill aims to rectify these historical injustices and empower tribes to take control of law enforcement on their lands, ensuring better protection for their communities. The initiative is part of a broader effort to confront the systemic issues that have long plagued California's Indigenous populations. The meeting concluded with a call for support from lawmakers to advance this critical legislation.