BIA- OJS is responsible for the protection of lives, resources, and property which lies at the heart of the BIA's law enforcement effort. BIA-OJS fully supports the Secretary's ongoing commitment to safe and healthy Indian communities. Under the direction of the Deputy BIA Director - Office of Justice Services, the Office of Justice Services (OJS) is responsible for the overall management of the Bureau's law enforcement program. Its main goal is to uphold the constitutional sovereignty of the Federally recognized Tribes and preserve peace within Indian country.
The office has seven areas of activity: Criminal Investigations and Police Services, Detention/Corrections, Inspection/Internal Affairs, Tribal Law Enforcement and Special Initiatives, the Indian Police Academy, Tribal Justice Support, and Program Management. The OJS also provides oversight and technical assistance to tribal law enforcement programs when and where requested. The OJS has primary responsibility for the investigation of crimes that occur in Indian country. Currently the office:
- Develops standards, policies and procedures for BIA-wide implementation.
- Operates the Indian Police Academy.
- Monitors tribally contracted justice services programs.
- Directly operates law enforcement programs for tribes who do not run their own programs.
- Conducts inspections and evaluation of BIA and Tribal Justice Services programs.
- Conducts internal investigations of misconduct by law enforcement officers.
- Provides emergency tactical response teams to reservations requiring assistance, or threatened with disruptions or civil disorder.
- Conducts criminal investigations into criminal violations committed on reservations involving Federal, State, County, Local and Tribal codes.
