The Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe has reached an agreement with Kitsap County to allow tribal officers to deal with immediate law enforcement and public safety needs on and near the reservation.

The agreement was signed by PGST Chairwoman Amber Caldera during the Kitsap County Commissioners meeting Nov. 25.

Before the agreement, PGST police could not arrest non-Indians on or near the reservation under state law, per the tribe. They could only temporarily detain and wait for a sheriff’s deputy to take further action. When it was not possible for the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office to send a deputy, PGST police would be forced to release suspects to avoid unlawful detention.

“The (agreement) and protocols enable PGST to better protect public safety, authorizing tribal police officers to enforce state law against non-Indians even when a sheriff is unavailable,” PGST attorney David Robinson said. “The effects of the (agreement) and protocols are most likely to be felt at the casino, Gliding Eagle, and other community and governmental areas that are exposed when the sheriff can’t respond or is unable to respond fast enough.”

The agreement is intended to allow PGST police to protect the tribal community against smaller state crimes and misdemeanors, per the tribe. More serious offenses, such as murder, will still be presided over by KCSO.