George Sword: First Native Police Captain

Captain George Sword, center
Library of Congress
Prints and Photographs Division

The Oglala Lakota Sioux akicita society traditionally enforced the law, ensured the security of the tribe, and captured wrongdoers. During the early reservation days, the akicita earned the respect of the Indian Agents and continued to do their duty as regards to tribal members. They were so effective, the Agency wanted to recruit the akicitas as tribal police but many tribal members opposed oversight from the government.

It may have been an issue of jurisdiction that inspired many akicitas to overcome their distrust of the government and sign up with the tribal police. Horse thieves from outside the tribe were preying on the Lakota horses, and without jurisdiction, there was nothing the akicitas could do. After hundreds of horses were lost in 1879, dozens of men signed up for the police. George Sword, also known as Man Who Carries the Sword, ably led the police for thirteen years, before retiring and becoming a tribal judge. Sword served his tribe as a medicine man, holy man, camp administrator and war leader. He felt his work as police captain continued this work, helping his people transition to the new era.

As head of the Pine Ridge Indian police, Captain Sword commanded 49 men, including many recruits from outside the tribe and maintained his traditional appearance and duties while serving.

Native Values Matter with Community Policing

Julia Wades in Water and Police Chief Wades in Water
Montana State University Library, Special Collections 

Whether or not it's the buzzword of the day, many tribes traditionally practiced some form of community policing. A society or clan might have special enforcement or judicial privileges, but other members of a community would help set the norms, identify negative behavior, and help to find solutions when asked.

Julia Wades in Water, of the Blackfeet Nation, was hired as a policewoman in 1905 by her husband, Police Chief Wades in Water. The couple took their roles as elders and protectors of Blackfeet tradition very seriously. Wades in the Water was a member of the traditional Crazy Dog Society, which according to Blackfeet historian Curly Bear Wagner, were once the sole "police force" and remained a "very important organization."

As the first Native female police officer in the nation, Julia Wades in Water served her community for 25 years, managing the detention facility and assisting with female suspects. While her husband pioneered diversion tactics like making "troublemakers" provide restitution and do community service, Julia sustained many warm friendships among the Blackfeet and the non-Native people of northern Montana.  This pioneering law enforcement couple were deeply invested in maintaining the values and safety of their community, and Blackfeet of that era remember them warmly for all their contributions. 

We like to focus on the great partnerships that support community safety for a reason; successful partnerships (with top level buy in) represent the investment a community is making to turn things around for itself. Just like in the old days.