What’s the relationship between the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs and its law enforcement arm?
Ms. Gruzs: “The FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services, we investigate our cases jointly. The BIA also participates on our Safe Trails Task Forces. They actually try to place their drug investigators on the Safe Trails Task Forces. And lastly, we coordinate our training efforts with the BIA.” Mr. Schiff: As for numbers, Gruzs’ unit reports that in fiscal year 2008 there were nearly 2,400 pending cases, nearly 900 indictments, and more than 950 arrests. In the current fiscal year, 2009, cases pending in Indian Country are already near 2,400. Ms. Gruzs: “Since October of 2008 we have arrested and indicted about 600 of the 2,400 pending cases that we have open.” Mr. Schiff: What about the FBI’s role? Does the FBI have a presence on Indian reservations, every day, all day? Ms. Gruzs: “Since FBI special agents are not uniform police we do not have a daily presence that is visible in the same sense as a uniform policeman. But due to the number of cases the FBI agents
