Interior offers training series for agencies addressing violent crime in tribal communities

To improve law enforcement and public safety providers’ response to crime in Indigenous communities, the Department of Interior’s Victim Assistance Program offers various training programs throughout the year.

The program is working with the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Indian Country Training Initiative, U.S. Indian Police Academy, FBI, DEA, and ATF to deliver training sessions focused on enhancing law enforcement and service providers’ responses to violent crime and boosting support for victims in tribal communities.

“By combining our expertise, we’re making sure those on the front lines have the tools and knowledge they need to protect victims and hold offenders accountable,” Glen Melville, deputy bureau director of the Office of Tribal Justice, said in a press release.

The department offers a wide range of specialized training programs, including conducting trauma-informed interviews, an introduction to crime gun intelligence, evidence packaging, lab disciplines and evidence submission, social media exploitation, and firearms trafficking.

“Indian Country faces persistent levels of crime and victimization,” according to the Department of Justice. As of 2025, the FBI’s Indian Country program had about 4,300 open investigations.

The training series started in May, and the Department of Interior said it has had nearly 900 participants in the first live webinar on responding to domestic violence and strangulation incidents. All training sessions are held virtually.

Melville said the training series shows what can be accomplished when agencies work together.

The virtual training series will continue throughout the year and it is being offered at no cost to the participants working in tribal justice, public safety and victim services.

“These trainings are open to all federal, state, county, and local law enforcement and public service agencies with a connection to Indian Country,” according to a spokesperson for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. “Our goal is to foster coordinated and informed responses across jurisdictions.”

The spokesperson stated they are actively working with partners to find and develop new training opportunities. Some of the main topics they are focusing on include elder abuse and various trainings related to missing and endangered children. 

“These efforts reflect our ongoing commitment to meeting the evolving needs of Tribal communities and strengthening the response capabilities of those who serve them,” they said.