Indigenous Public Safety

For too many Indigenous families, the search for a missing loved one begins at a crossroads through different jurisdictions, agencies, and levels of government at the very moment when every hour matters.

A recent federal audit of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit found a significant backlog of open cases and pending referrals. (https://www.oversight.gov/reports/audit/bureau-indian-affairs-missing-and-murdered-unit-must-improve-its-case-intake-process) That should worry all of us, but it should also lead us to ask one simple question: What more can New Mexico do to help?

As governor, my administration will work directly with New Mexico’s tribes, pueblos and nations, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, tribal law enforcement, New Mexico State Police, local law enforcement and prosecutors to deploy state resources to work where they can make a real difference.

This begins with communication. When an Indigenous person goes missing or is believed to have been kidnapped, agencies should know immediately who is leading the investigation, what resources are needed, and who has the authority to act. Families cannot be left to sort out out what government agency has taken responsibility.

New Mexico already has the Turquoise Alert system for missing Indigenous people. (https://www.dps.nm.gov/law-enforcement-records-bureau/missing-persons-alerts/turquoise-alert-information/)  My administration will work with tribal leaders and law enforcement to make sure it gets the connections it needs, to a broader response that can involve State Police investigators, search and rescue teams, crime analysts, forensic resources and other state personnel when requested.

We will also work with tribal governments and the BIA to develop protocols for information sharing and coordinating investigations across jurisdictions, with the respect for tribal sovereignty and the appropriate protections of sensitive information.

When federal investigators face staffing shortages or case backlogs, the State of New Mexico should be ready to provide qualified personnel, investigative support, forensic assistance and other resources when federal and tribal partners find that help would move a case forward.

Our work cannot begin only after someone disappears. We must work with Indigenous communities on prevention, including efforts aimed at human trafficking, domestic violence, repeat violent offenders and other circumstances that can put people at greater risk.

And when a crime has been committed, our goal must be clear: find the missing, bring victims home whenever possible, identify those responsible, and pursue justice.

No family should feel that their loved one matters less because a case crosses a county line, a reservation boundary or a federal jurisdiction.

Under my administration, New Mexico will be a partner. We will listen to tribal communities, respect their sovereignty, and put the resources of the state in service of the shared mission of protecting Indigenous people and bringing answers to families who have waited far too long.