Nez Perce tribe asks county to stop making arrests at casino

LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) – The Nez Perce tribe has asked county sheriff’s deputies to stop making arrests at the region’s casino.

The Lewiston Tribune reports that the Tribal Executive Committee requested that Nez Perce County deputies refrain from making arrests for outstanding warrants on the floor or in the parking lot of Clearwater River Casino and Lodge. The committee’s letter to Sheriff Joe Rodriguez also says tribal police officers must be present if the county responds to criminal activity.

Both the tribe and the sheriff’s office say the casino can be an easy place to find people with outstanding warrants, but the tribal police chief argues that making arrests in public places can put people at risk.

The county is waiting until it hears from legal counsel to decide whether to comply with the tribe’s request.

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Information from: Lewiston Tribune, http://www.lmtribune.com