Essay On Native American Policing

1620 Words4 Pages

Policing any community will have many challenges, but policing alongside a Native American tribe can add additional challenges other areas may not experience. In the past Native Americans have had problems with the U.S. government seriously and repeatedly disregarded Indian rights that were guaranteed in the form of binding treaties. To Native American’s police officers have been a symbol of rigid and authoritarian governmental control. They view the justice system as not to be trusted because of the breaches of treaties and contracts. With such tarnished views of the justice system and those who work for it, policing alongside a Native American tribe can face additional problems and challenges. How Native American’s and Americans communicate …show more content…

This behavior is highly valued in Native American culture and being silent is truly a virtue (Shusta, Levine, Wong, Olson, & Harris, 2015). When law enforcement encounters Native Americans, they may mistake their resistance to talk as sullenness or lack of cooperation (Shusta, Levine, Wong, Olson, & Harris, 2015). This can be misinterpreted or taken personally. Most American culture encourage open expression of opinions when Native American culture encourages calmness and emotional control. In addition, an officer must be very careful not to interrupt when an Indian is speaking because it is seen as a very aggressive behavior and avoided whenever it is possible. It’s important to remember their culture and traits must be understood as normal behavior, action, or attitude and is not to be taken as a personal insult when its differs from our …show more content…

English is often a second language for many and those who cannot speak English at all may be inhibited from speaking. Native Americans also speak quietly and nonforcefully. With this thought in mind, law enforcement needs to be extra patient when asking questions and be sure to allow extra time for discussions. Those who do not speak English well need additional time to translate from their native language to English when formulating their response (Shusta, Levine, Wong, Olson, & Harris, 2015). With most languages words often do not translate well from their own language to English. In addition, many concepts also do not translate well from one language to another. Native American language is highly regarded and reflects a unique view on the world. It is best for an officer to show respect when they speak their native language and do not force them to only speak English in public. Furthermore, Native Americans have a long history of forced assimilation into modern society and many were dined the right to speak their native language (Shusta, Wong, Olson, & Harris,

Open Document