S. 2452 — Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act

This section establishes authority for law enforcement officers of an Indian tribe (Tribal officers) that has contracted or compacted Federal law enforcement functions under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) to enforce Federal law within the tribe's jurisdiction, provided the officers complete training and background checks comparable to those of Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services (OJS) employees, receive OJS certification, and the tribe adopts equivalent OJS policies and procedures. (As background, ISDEAA enables tribes to assume operation of Federal programs, including law enforcement, with Federal funding.) Such Tribal officers are deemed Federal law enforcement officers for purposes of criminal protections under 18 U.S.C. §§111 and 1114 (assault on Federal officers and their families), retirement coverage under 5 U.S.C. chapters 83 and 84, tort claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. chapter 171), and workers' compensation under 5 U.S.C. chapter 81, subchapter III. Not later than two years after enactment, the Secretary of the Interior must develop Tribal officer credentialing procedures and issue implementing guidance in consultation with tribes, including provisions for voluntary position-by-position participation, prior service credit purchases, participation by officers funded by Department of Justice grants, and recognition of tribal mandatory retirement ages exceeding the Federal standard; Tribal officers attending non-Indian Police Academy training must complete the Indian Police Academy Bridge Program (or equivalent) for certification.

This section directs the Attorney General, acting through the Deputy Attorney General, to coordinate and provide oversight for all Department of Justice activities, responsibilities, functions, and programs related to public safety in Indian communities to ensure a coordinated approach, accountability, and compliance with federal law, including (1) timely submission of reports to Congress; (2) robust training, as required under federal law or as needed or requested by Indian Tribes or Federal and State officials, on public safety in Indian communities and related training outcomes; (3) updating and improving United States Attorney operational plans; (4) comprehensive evaluation and analysis of data on public safety in Indian communities, including approaches to collecting better data; and (5) other duties or responsibilities as needed to improve public safety in Indian communities.