Gallego Supports Bipartisan Bill to Help Arizona Tribes Combat MMIW Crisis, Fentanyl Trafficking

WASHINGTON – Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) is supporting the Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act . The legislation would help tribal police departments hire and retain tribal law enforcement officers by providing access to federal retirement, pension, death, and injury benefits on par with law enforcement officers from non-tribal jurisdictions. “Tribal law enforcement officers are on the front lines of protecting their communities from crises like the fentanyl epidemic and the ongoing tragedy of missing and murdered indigenous people,” said Senator Gallego. “Ensuring they have equal access to federal resources and support isn’t just a matter of fairness; it’s essential to the safety, justice, and well-being of tribal nations.” According to the Department of Interior , public safety and justice at the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is funded at just 13% of need, and over 25,600 personnel are needed to adequately serve Indian Country. This includes at least 13,000 more tribal law enforcement officers to meet FBI Community Safety Standards. Senator Gallego has long been a champion for improving safety in tribal communities. During his time in the House of Representatives, he chaired the first Congressional hearing on the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), and in 2024 his bipartisan Native American Child Protection Act was signed into law. Last year, he reintroduced his bipartisan BADGES for Native Communities Act to support the recruitment and retention of BIA law enforcement officers, bolster federal missing persons resources, and give Tribes and states tools to combat violence. The bill passed the Senate unanimously in December.