Indigenous Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act
009-2021
Preamble:
In recognition of the inherent and continuing sovereign right of Indigenous nations to ensure the protection, safety, and governance of their peoples, the Maya-We Nation hereby codifies its internal authority to establish, train, and deploy law enforcement agents under international law, customary Indigenous governance, and reciprocal standards recognized by domestic jurisdictions.
Section 1: Authority and Purpose
1.1 This Act affirms the sovereign right of the Maya-We Nation to create and administer its own public safety and Indigenous law enforcement institutions in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), particularly:
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Article 5: "Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and strengthen their distinct political, legal, economic, social and cultural institutions..."
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Article 7(2): "Indigenous peoples have the collective right to live in freedom, peace and security..."
1.2 The purpose of this Act is to protect the citizens, kinship tribes, lands, and interests of the Maya-We Nation through lawful and peace-oriented Indigenous enforcement mechanisms.
Section 2: Operational Legitimacy and Recognition
2.1 In accordance with the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA), 18 U.S.C. §§ 926B and 926C, officers certified by the Maya-We Nation under qualifying criteria shall be considered eligible for interstate law enforcement recognition, provided:
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They meet LEOSA eligibility standards, including training, annual firearm qualification, and lawful authority to carry a firearm.
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They serve or have served as sworn, salaried, or recognized law enforcement officers authorized to engage in the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of any violation of law.
2.2 The Maya-We Nation affirms its internal authority to issue law enforcement credentials and commission personnel as “Indigenous Marshals,” acting under the authority of this Act and in compliance with applicable international and regional protocols.
Section 3: Training Standards and Protocols
3.1 All Maya-We Nation Marshals must complete standardized training equivalent to state or federal POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) standards, including:
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Use of force and de-escalation,
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Firearms qualification (annually),
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Community policing and conflict resolution,
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Indigenous rights and cultural protocol.
3.2 Officers shall also receive mandatory training in:
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International Humanitarian Law,
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The UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials,
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Emergency medical response and civilian evacuation protocols.
Section 4: Jurisdiction and Protective Authority
4.1 The Maya-We Nation’s law enforcement jurisdiction includes:
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All recognized citizens and kinship tribes of the Maya-We Nation,
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All members traveling under official Maya-We Nation documentation or engaged in sanctioned national activity,
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All territories, permanent missions, embassies, and field offices maintained by the Maya-We Nation.
4.2 In cases of joint jurisdiction or recognized cooperation, officers shall notify and coordinate with local, federal, or international bodies in accordance with diplomatic protocols and mutual aid agreements.
Section 5: Kinship Protection Clause
5.1 The Maya-We Nation recognizes and affirms its formal kinship relationship with the Guainía Taíno Tribe of the United States Virgin Islands, whose federal recognition enhances the shared historical, cultural, and political continuity of the Taíno Indigenous identity.
5.2 The Maya-We Nation’s declaration of kinship with the Guainía Taíno Tribe—formally enacted prior to the latter’s federal recognition—establishes a documented and good-faith relationship under customary international Indigenous law, lending reciprocal legitimacy and cultural alignment under:
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ICCPR Article 27: Rights of minorities to enjoy their own culture and practice their own religion,
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UNDRIP Article 36: "Indigenous peoples... have the right to maintain and develop contacts, relations and cooperation, including activities for spiritual, cultural, political, economic and social purposes, with their own members as well as other peoples across borders."
5.3 This kinship declaration shall extend protections to all declared kinship citizens in accordance with national law and international protocols. All relevant law enforcement provisions herein apply to kinship members, unless otherwise restricted by treaty or recognized intergovernmental agreement.
Section 6: Diplomatic and Humanitarian Protection
6.1 Maya-We Nation Marshals may be assigned to protective details, diplomatic missions, and humanitarian corridors where citizen or kin tribal interests are present or threatened.
6.2 Officers operating under this Act shall adhere to non-aggression principles unless acting in defense of life, prevention of severe harm, or lawful response to an existential threat to the Nation or its members.