👮 Community Police Academy Session 6

COMMUNITY POLICE ACADEMY SIXTH SESSION: TRIBAL JUSTICE, BLM RANGERS, AND WILDLIFE PROTECTION By: Tyler Beadle

BISHOP, CA –

On November 6, 2025, the sixth session of the Third Bishop Community Police Academy opened our nine-student class to the intricate world of tribal law, federal land management, and state wildlife conservation. Led by Sergeant Scobie, the evening featured insights from Bishop Tribal Police Chief Raymond Allen, BLM Ranger Scott, and a dedicated California Department of Fish and Wildlife game warden based in Mammoth Lakes.

Chief Raymond Allen kicked things off with a very informative presentation on tribal law and Public Law 280. Enacted in 1953, PL 280 expanded California’s criminal jurisdiction over tribal lands, allowing state and local law enforcement, like sheriffs, to operate on reservations, something they couldn’t do before. However, tribes like Bishop Paiute retain concurrent authority, enforcing their own codes alongside state laws. Allen explained that tribal police have full criminal and civil powers on-reservation, including issuing fines for traffic violations or handling domestic matters. Off-reservation, their jurisdiction is limited to exceptions like mutual aid requests, ensuring safety without overstepping. He highlighted tribal courts, which handle reservation-specific cases from civil disputes to cultural issues, offering a culturally attuned justice system. I really loved learning how these courts process fines for passersby ticketed on tribal roads; it’s a seamless blend of sovereignty and community needs in our valley.

Next, BLM Ranger Scott shared the dynamic responsibilities of the Bishop Field Office, which manages about 750,000 acres of public lands across Inyo and Mono counties. As a ranger, he operates with flexibility, setting his own schedule while tackling diverse tasks: patrolling remote areas to enforce rules, educating visitors on Leave No Trace principles, and coordinating off-highway vehicle (OHV) routes to minimize environmental impact. Scott detailed counter-drug and trafficking operations, often collaborating with federal and state partners to dismantle illegal grows hidden in canyons, and wildfire mitigation through fuel breaks. He showed striking photos of archaeological sites protected under cultural resource laws, blooming wildflowers in restored habitats, and busts of illicit operations—cool glimpses into safeguarding our wild California heritage while fostering recreation like hiking and fishing.

Rounding out the night, the Mammoth Lakes game warden from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Inland Deserts Region illuminated their mission to protect the state’s fish, wildlife, and habitats across vast areas, including Bishop’s high-desert expanse. Wardens enforce regulations on hunting, fishing, and poaching while promoting sustainable use. He spotlighted endangered and protected species under the California Endangered Species Act, such as the green sturgeon in Central Valley waters, desert pupfish in isolated springs, and Pismo clovers clinging to coastal dunes. Locally, protections extend to desert bighorn sheep herds in the Owens Valley and the succulent Dudleya farinosa (aka Bluff Lettuce), a rare coastal Dudleya facing extinction threats from poaching. Its fleshy leaves fetch high prices on black markets, prompting stricter enforcement. These efforts balance conservation with public access, ensuring our natural treasures endure for future generations.

The class wrapped around 9:15 p.m., brimming with appreciation for these interconnected guardians of our region. I’m excited for next week’s session and hope readers are drawn into this program’s depth. For more on the Bishop Police Department, this class, or future ones, contact them directly. Questions about my article or writing? Email [email protected].