Kootenai sheriff: ‘A good working relationship’

Kootenai County Sheriff Rocky Watson told the House Judiciary Committee, “We have a good working relationship with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. It’s been going on for 10 years now.” Tribal officers go through the same training his his deputies, Watson said. They also now coordinate records and warrants. Watson said the result for the portion of the Coeur d’Alene Reservation within Kootenai County is “better service for public safety.” When a call comes in, people don’t know what color uniform the responding officers will be wearing, Watson said - but they know they’ll get the closest one.

Questioned by lawmakers about how things work, Watson said, “What we do now under the agreement, is all non-tribal members are cited into district court and go into our system. All tribal members are cited into tribal court and go into their system, but they’re transported in the same police car and go to the same jail.” He said he has “full confidence” in his working agreement with the Coeur d’Alenes.