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Isleta del Sur Pueblo seeks state peace‑officer commissioning authority in committee hearing
Summary
Sen. Blanco told the committee that Senate Bill 906 would authorize the Isleta del Sur Pueblo in El Paso County to have its tribal police commissioned as Texas peace officers, giving the tribe the same authority the Alabama‑Coushatta and Kickapoo tribes already have.
Sen. Blanco introduced Senate Bill 906 to allow the Isleta del Sur Pueblo in El Paso County to have its police officers commissioned as Texas peace officers, aligning the tribe’s authority with the Alabama‑Coushatta and Kickapoo tribes. Tribal leaders said the pueblo has had a police force and a Bureau of Indian Affairs special law‑enforcement commission but lacks the ability to enforce state law on tribal lands; that limitation can delay response and create safety risks in urgent incidents.
Michael Silvas, governor of the Isleta del Sur Pueblo, and Chief Robert Martinez described their force (approximately 20 sworn officers, 24/7 coverage in two districts plus rural ranch lands) and said officers meet training, firearms, and background standards. Raul Candelaria, director of public safety for the pueblo, testified about the department’s development from a security unit to a fully operational police department and urged passage. The committee closed testimony and left the bill pending for later consideration.
