SB552 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

George M. “Marc” Keahey

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Poarch Creek Indians, appointment of police officers for tribal lands, required to be certified law enforcement officers

Summary

The bill would allow Poarch Band of Creek Indians police to enforce Alabama state law on tribal lands if they are certified as law enforcement officers.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes Poarch Band of Creek Indians police officers to enforce state law on tribal lands and requires them to be certified by the Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission. The officers would have the powers of state or municipal police, including bearing firearms and bringing charges/arrests as if before a state court. They could operate on tribal lands with limited off-tribal authority in specific situations, such as pursuing offenders, making arrests for felonies, cross-deputization with local agencies, or enforcing state laws on streets adjacent to tribal lands; the act does not change other agencies' jurisdiction, and the tribe covers the officers' costs.

Who It Affects

• Poarch Band of Creek Indians and its police officers would gain authority to enforce state law on tribal lands and must be POST-certified, with the tribe bearing the financial cost of employing them.
• People on tribal lands (residents, employees, and visitors) would be protected by state-law enforcement on those lands, and non-Indians on tribal lands could be subject to state enforcement under defined conditions.

Key Provisions

• The Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tribal Council may hire police officers to enforce state law and protect tribal lands; officer authority ends when the person is no longer an employee of the tribe.
• Officers would have all powers of state or municipal police, including firearms, and the right to charge and present individuals in court as if under a state warrant.
• The Poarch Band of Creek Indians is considered a law enforcement agency for Alabama purposes under the relevant statutory articles.
• Powers may be exercised only on tribal lands, with limited off-tribal authority for pursuits, felony arrests with reasonable cause, cross-deputization with local authorities, or enforcement on streets adjacent to tribal lands.
• The Poarch Band of Creek Indians bears all financial responsibility for employing officers.
• The act becomes effective immediately after governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Indians