Press release: 

 

The Yurok Tribal Police Department is pleased to announce the cross deputization of two of their officers with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department today.

The cross deputization agreement allows tribal officers to enforce all state and county law on the reservation and allows sharing of communication channels.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to provide complete law enforcement coverage for the tribe and our greater community in Klamath,” said Chief Greg O’Rourke of the Yurok Tribal Police Department, “we look forward to working with the sheriff’s department as a partner for a long time.”

Sheriff Billy Honsal was also excited about the agreement.

“This is a great asset not only to the Sheriff’s Department, but the whole county. Having extra officers on the ground able to enforce the law makes all of our communities safer, and rural areas like the Klamath region need coverage from professional officers like Chief O’Rourke and his team.”

Chief O’Rourke and Sheriff Honsal plan to deputize all officers with the Yurok Tribal Police Department over the coming months.

“Anytime we can add a great professional partner we are glad to do it,” said Honsal.