Mission
The Department of Justice and Regulatory Administration is responsible for ensuring fair and consistent application of laws and regulations by the divisions within the Department in order to protect the resources, membership, sovereignty, culture, and traditions of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.
The Department of Justice and Regulatory is composed of six divisions, which includes four law enforcement divisions, the Ethics Office, and the office of tax and liquor. The Department is responsible for all enforcement (police, wildlife, animal control, and gaming), as well as regulatory issues (gaming regulation, and Tribal employment rights). The Department has administrative authority over the Tribal Public Defender’s Office. In addition, the Department of Justice handles the administrative process for driver’s license revocations, pursuant to an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the State of Colorado. Each Division within the Justice and Regulatory Department is working to protect the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, its Tribal membership, or the assets of the Tribe. We continue to look for opportunities to employ Tribal members and to serve them better. What each Division is doing for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe results in protecting its sovereignty and customs and promotes and enforces self-determination.
Citizen Complaints/Compliments
A relationship of trust and confidence between employees of the Department of Justice and Regulatory Law Enforcement and the community we serve is essential to effective law enforcement. Law Enforcement officers must be free to exercise their best judgment and to initiate law enforcement action in a reasonable, lawful, and impartial manner, without fear of reprisal. Likewise, officers have a special obligation to respect the rights of all persons.
The Department of Justice and Regulatory (“Department”) has a responsibility to establish a system of complaint and disciplinary procedures. The Department consists of four different law enforcement branches or Divisions, the Southern Ute Police Department (“SUPD”), the Southern Ute Detention Center, the Tribal Rangers and Animal Control, and the Division of Gaming. The system is designed to subject officers to corrective action when officers conduct themselves improperly, but also to protect officers from unwarranted criticism when they discharge their duties properly. The purpose of these procedures is to provide a prompt, equitable, open, and expeditious disposition of public complaints regarding the conduct of members of the Department. The Department welcomes from members of the community constructive criticism of the Department and complaints against its employees or regarding its procedures.
The Department also appreciates and welcomes commendations, or positive feedback, and other comments from members of the public. To ensure excellent service is recognized and modeled, it is equally important for us to hear about our community’s positive law enforcement experiences.
If you wish to file a complaint or offer positive feedback, please fill out the Citizen Complaint form by clicking on the link below and file it with the Justice and Regulatory Department by clicking submit when completed. You may also file in person by going to the Department’s Administrative Office or the division involved.
By using the form, I acknowledge that this is an official document that complains about the conduct of a Law Enforcement employee of the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Justice and Regulatory Department, which includes the Southern Ute Police, Tribal Rangers, Adult Detention Center and Division of Gaming. False information or statements contained in this document may subject me to criminal prosecution.
Divisions
Detention Center
Dewayne Todd – Division Head
970-563-2802
The Detention Center is an integral part of the criminal justice system and plays an important role in the human service in this community. It is part of a system of alternatives available to the court and the community to deal with people who violate the Tribal Code. The center provides levels of confinement appropriate to the varying security and programming needs of the inmate population.
Division of Gaming
Jackie Budd – Division Head
970-563-2848
The Division of Gaming implements internal controls and procedures under which the casino operates, as well as enforces all rules, regulations, and laws that the Gaming Commission and Tribal Council have promulgated.
Natural Resource Enforcement Division
James Coleman – Captain
970-563-2861
The Natural Resource Enforcement Division has been operating under the administration of the Justice and Regulatory. The two programs are the Tribal Rangers and Animal Control Programs.
Southern Ute Police
Raymond N. Coriz Jr. – Chief of Police
970-563-0246
The Southern Ute Police Department (SUPD) is located on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation in Southwest Colorado. We patrol 677,622 acres of Southwestern Colorado covering parts of La Plata, Archuleta, and Montezuma counties. We share common borders with the Ute Mountain Ute and Jicarilla Apache reservations. We work with the Ignacio Police Department that has jurisdiction over the Town of Ignacio. The town is located within the boundaries of the reservation.
Public Defender
Tim Heydinger
970-563-2806
Quality legal representation for all criminal defendants, regardless of economic status or ability to pay, is essential to a fair and effective justice system. It is the mission of the Southern Ute Public Defender to provide quality, ethical legal representation for criminal defendants to ensure the equitable administration of justice and fair treatment of those committing crimes.
The Public Defender’s office takes part in a number of programs for the benefit of Tribal members. The division’s primary endeavor is to represent individuals charged with criminal offenses in the Southern Ute Tribal Court.
TERO Division
Hilda Burch – Division Head
970-563-2291
The Tribal Employee Rights Office (TERO) works with Southern Ute Tribal Members and Local Native American applicants to encourage employment with companies on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation and promotes compliance and Native American Business’.
Tribal Prosecutor
TBD
970-563-2804
The mission of the Tribal Prosecutor’s Office is to secure justice for victims of crime and to help reduce crime on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. Rehabilitation of offenders is the preferred method of reducing crime on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. In most cases, offenders are referred to treatment programs to work on drug or alcohol dependency, anger management, domestic violence, or trauma & loss. Incarceration is recommended for repeat offenders, violent offenders, or those offenders who are not interested in treatment. Jail credit is afforded offenders who successfully complete in-patient treatment programs or attend counseling while in custody.