Who We Are
Tribal Police History
Since establishment in 1997, the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Police have worked hard to maximize their efforts by collaborating with other law enforcement agencies and cross-deputizing Tribal Police officers to provide services to approximately 15,000 Native and Non-Native residences on the reservation. Cross-deputization agreements with the two counties require constant police presence and the 10-member force is fully employed in doing so. While this collaboration and resource sharing has contributed to better policing services on the reservation, the Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Police still battle the impacts of alcohol and drug abuse, juvenile delinquency, and domestic violence on a regular basis. Most arrests in 2021 were related to alcohol and/or drug abuse, or sale and distribution of drugs.
The Chief of Police has actively worked with a group of elected leaders, department directors and managers, as well as non-Tribal institutions such as city, county, and law enforcement agencies, to reduce substance abuse related crime on the reservation. Specifically, the Chief of Police has been a participant on the Tribal Collaboration Committee (TCC), which has been comprehensively assessing community justice needs since 2014, acknowledges the epidemic of drug use/sale, victimization, and juvenile delinquency. This can be said for many communities across the U.S. and especially in rural areas. The Tribal Police, along with their partners, continue to work to ensure public safety and wellness on the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation.
The Police Chief’s Message
Welcome to the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Police Department website.
As Chief of Police, I am committed to leading a department that protects life, preserves peace, enforces the law, and safeguards the sovereignty, people, and communities of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. We will provide fair, professional, and impartial law enforcement services while honoring the Tribe’s traditions and values.
My expectations are straightforward: we must lead with integrity, demonstrate professionalism, accept accountability, and strive for excellence in everything we do. These values guide how we serve the public, how we support one another, and how we earn and maintain the community’s trust. I believe effective leadership begins with setting clear standards, leading by example, developing our personnel, and holding ourselves accountable for our performance.
Our work extends beyond responding to calls for service. We must be proactive, identify and address public-safety concerns, prevent harm where possible, and work collaboratively to develop effective solutions. We will continue to invest in training and employee development, strengthen supervision, improve our practices, and use effective technology and modern policing methods to support our mission.
Public safety is a shared responsibility. We will work to strengthen relationships with community members, Tribal leadership, neighboring law enforcement agencies, and other public-safety partners. Through communication, partnership, and continual improvement, we can enhance the safety, security, and quality of life of the people and communities we serve.
I envision a department that is professional, trusted, forward-thinking, and dependable—a department known not only for responding to crime, but also for building trust, preventing harm, developing solutions, and strengthening the community. That vision requires consistent effort, high standards, and a commitment to doing the right thing, even when it is difficult.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and its communities. I am committed to leading with accountability, integrity, professionalism, and excellence, and to ensuring that our department continues working every day to provide the quality of service our community deserves.
Respectfully,
Richard Axtman
Chief of Police
Coeur d’Alene Tribal Police Department
ACCOUNTABILITY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM • EXCELLENCE
K9 Kilo joined the Coeur D’Alene Tribal Police in January of 2026.
Kilo is Idaho State P.O.S.T Certified in Narcotics detecting and works alongside Officer Howard.
K9 Lieke joined the Coeur D’Alene Tribal Police in April of 2026.
Lieke is Idaho State P.O.S.T Certified in Narcotics detecting and works alongside Officer Trefry.
Tribal Police General Jurisdiction
The Coeur d’Alene Reservation is a large, rural area in northern Idaho with 5 towns (Worley, Plummer, St. Marie’s, Tensed, and Desmet), covering over 539 square miles and approximately 53 miles from the northern boundary of the reservation along State Highway 95 to the southern boundary. The reservation exists within two counties – Kootenai County on the northern third of the reservation, and Benewah County for the rest. These two counties are vastly rural in nature and law enforcement resources are limited.
