A human rights organization working with tribal members says it has sparked an investigation of reservation police, although officials in Denver’s regional director of the Justice Department’s Community Relations Service have not heard of the Center for Human Rights and Indian Law. Cahuila “Kaweah” Red Elk, executive director of the Colorado-based center, said March 23 she took a few of the 38 cases she has received from tribal members to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Inspector General’s Office, which investigates misconduct in federal agencies. The office took an interest in the complaints, which allege beatings and abuse of Sho-Ban members – young and old – by police officers, she said. “It makes me want to vomit. It’s a vicious attack on humanity.” Red Elk said she and the Sho-Bans were not necessarily looking to sue or prosecute the police department. They want to end the 35 years of abuse. “We’re not here to destroy their nation,” she said. Police Chief Vernon Alvarez declined comment. The U.S. Attorney’s Office charged an officer with a civil rights violation in January for punching an inmate in the jail. That case has not been resolved, but the officer was placed on unpaid administrative leave.
