As already reported here on September 16, lack of qualified officers for Hoopa Valley, Sheriff revokes powers

I had reported on this development recently during an interview with Undersheriff William Honsal. Today there was this press release.

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2015/09/hcso-and-dhhs-partner-to-bring-more.html

HCSO Press- Release:

Roughly twenty years ago the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and the Hoopa Valley Tribe entered into an agreement that the Hoopa Valley Tribal Police Department will maintain the state standards to enforce state law. Due to the lack of qualified officers to fulfill the Sheriff’s Office mission, the Sheriff has opted to suspend the current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and has revoked peace officers powers from the tribal officers as of Wednesday, September 23, 2015.

According to Public Law 83-280 (PL 280), the Sheriff’s Office is responsible for enforcing state laws on tribal lands. As a result, the Sheriff has increased personnel in the Hoopa and Willow Creek areas and by mid-October three additional deputies will be assigned to these areas. This will bring the total number of deputies in this area to six, plus one Sergeant and one Corporal.

The Sheriff has arranged for two community meetings. The first will be on Tuesday, October 6, 2015, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Hoopa. The second meeting will be on Wednesday, October 7, 2015, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall in Willow Creek. The Sheriff will be present to address this issue.


The Sheriff is committed to providing enhanced patrol coverage and service to the citizens of Hoopa and Willow Creek. It is strongly encouraged for Hoopa and Willow Creek residents to attend either of these meetings.