Off reservation and in regard to non-tribal members, the tribal cops are NOT LE. They are citizens. Like any concerned citizen, they should have called legitimate LE. What the tribal cops did was the same as if Abu and Stlhead here had approached the hunting party with weapons drawn and cuffed and detained them.
A significant legality seems to be being overlooked by some in this thread. In the described situation, the tribal cops are just citizens, not cops, not LE. Therefore they screwed up royally.
Sg
So if that is the case, then you are looking at 'unlawful detainment' or something like that, which is more than just a civil issue, the LE guys should be arrested as such.
In regards to Abu Loomis' comment about 20/20, you are right many would be celebrating the LEOs for making the detainment, but they still should get in trouble for doing that (regarding jurisdiction). It sounds like there were plenty of witnesses, many of which thought they were turning in poachers, who are going to end up being witnesses for the prosecution when the civil trial comes down.
Will be interested to see how the tribe approaches the action of their LEOs, and whether or not they have their back, or do all that is possible to distance themselves from them.
Fascinating and infuriating.
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