Tohono O’odham members who patrol tribal lands to watch for drug smuggling may soon have new job opportunities.
The Shadow Wolves patrol a 76-mile stretch of land that straddles the Tohono O’odham Nation and Mexico.
“The Shadow Wolves are an elite Native American tracking and investigation unit with decades of experience using both technology and traditional tracking methods to disrupt human trafficking and drug smuggling on the Tohono O’odham Reservation,” said Tohono O’odham Chairman Verlon Jose.
“The Tohono O’odham Tribe strongly supports the Shadow Wolves Improvement Act, which will further enhance the effectiveness of the Shadow Wolves program by improving retention and recruitment and expanding the program.”
Senators Mark Kelly and Krysten Sinema have introduced a new bill that would allow people in this field to advance in their careers. Immigration and Customs Enforcement would be able to divert people who demonstrate three years of satisfactory service from the Exceptional Service to the Competitive Service, allowing for better pay and career mobility.
“Public safety, especially drug and human trafficking, continues to be a priority on Indian reservations,” said Jamie Azur, chairman of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. “These issues are especially challenging for tribal communities like the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians who live along the U.S. border. The Shadow Wolves Improvement Act is an additional tool in our law enforcement toolbox that will help.”
In 2022, with bipartisan support, Shadow Wolves were reclassified as special agents instead of tactical police officers. If the bill passed, these agents would have the same career mobility as agents in the Department of Homeland Security.
The bill would also allow for the expansion of the Shadow Wolves program.
