Justices Raise Public Safety Concerns in Tribal Police Argument

U.S. Supreme Court justices indicated Tuesday that an appeals court ruling could harm public safety on American Indian reservations, with several justices raising concerns ranging from drunk drivers to serial killers.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit said a tribal officer can stop a suspect on a public road running through a reservation to determine whether they’re Indian. If they’re not, then the officer can only detain the person to turn them over to state or federal authorities if it’s “apparent” or “obvious” that state or federal law is being or has been violated, the appeals court ...