30 AMERICAN POLICE BEAT: MAY 2017 the matter is: you are on your own. The shooting death of 27- year-old Navajo Nation Po- lice Officer Houston James Largo is a tragedy. Largo was responding to the dead- liest type of call police respond to – a domestic disturbance. Nowpeople are calling at- tention to the fact that tribal police officers like Largo face incred- ible danger because they’re spread so thin. How thin? Try a patrol area of about 1,000 miles that Largo worked in rural New Mexico. These desolate areas rep- resent huge risks for officers like Houston Largo – a dedi- cated public servant who didn’t live to see his 28th birthday. In addition to covering more terri- tory, tribal officers also lack the re- sources and funding that many other law enforce- ment agen- cies receive and likely t a k e f o r granted. Tribal offi- cers say it’s pretty simple – they’re outmanned, out- gunned and overworked. “One of the most trying times I have serving as presi- dent of the Navajo Nation is when I get word that one of our police officers has had their life taken needlessly,” Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye said. “It brings to mind the situations our officers face every day in responding to calls, getting in their unit and putting their lives on the line. It must be difficult for family members to know their loved ones might not return.” Tribal officers have to cover so much ground that it can take more than an hour to respond to a call. That obviously means even with a criti- cal incident, backup is an hour away. “Our officers’ lives are precious. They are the ones who stand guard over our nation and pro- tect us,” Begaye said. In tribal lands, as in other parts of the coun- try, domestic calls are the deadliest. “Unfortunately, many of our officers face this devastating issue every day when they are on duty, and sadly it resulted in the loss of one of our bravest today,” Navajo Nation Council Delegate Edmund Yazzie said. The Navajo Nation has about 200 patrol officers. That’s a full 70 officers short of what the tribe says they need. Navajo Nation Police Chief Phillip Francisco told Fox News that it is not at all uncommon for one officer to be responsible for patrolling 1,000 miles. “The Crownpoint District, where Officer Largo served, is our largest at over 4,000 square miles and we typi- cally have five officers on per shift,” Francisco said. “It can take officers more than an hour to respond to a call, mostly by themselves.” “Most departments in the country have more than 20 officers per 10,000 residents. We have 11,” Francisco said. “This is a staggering amount of area and people to cover.” McKinley County Sheriff Ron Silversmith had worked with Largo both when he served with the Gallup Po- lice Department and the sheriff’s department. “It is probably one of the most dangerous jobs a police officer can have,” Silversmith said. “There are a lot of times where there is no radio contact and you’re on your own. You have to be strong willed to work out there.” The situation does not seem like it will improve anytime soon. Think the pay’s bad in Georgia? Navajo Tribal of- ficers are paid $5 per hour less than surrounding state and municipal law enforce- ment agencies. Navajo Nation Officer Houston James Largo, 27, came across the vehicle recently while re- sponding to a report of domes- tic violence at a rural address north of the town of Prewitt. He was shot and killed, according to McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Roberta Jaramillo. Continued from page one Most departments in the country have more than 20 officers per 10,000 residents. We have 11. This is a staggering amount of area and people to cover. One tough beat Peerless® Handcuff Company Only 5.2 ounces • NIJ Certified • Made in USA www.peerless.net • info@peerless.net • 800.732.3715