NICE, Calif. — The Robinson Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians marked a milestone in its history as a sovereign nation on Thursday evening.
As his family, tribal members and local dignitaries looked on, Officer Kyle Wheeler became the first federally commissioned police officer in Robinson Rancheria's history to attend and successfully complete a police academy while representing the Robinson Rancheria Police Department.
His proud chief, Derrell Hochstein, called it a “historical evening.”
It’s not just historical for the tribe but for the community as a whole, as Robinson Rancheria is Lake County’s only tribal police department.
Probably the most heartfelt tribute of the evening came from Wheeler’s wife, Kaitlyn Carter, who called him “our wonderful man in blue.”
Together, Hochstein and Wheeler make up the tribal police department, with Hochstein recruiting to continue to build the agency’s sworn personnel.
Hochstein lauded the tribal leadership and members for supporting Wheeler’s training and education as part of elevating the department.
However, Wheeler’s achievement of reaching Special Law Enforcement Commission, or SLEC, status came in no small part due to Hochstein’s efforts.
Hochstein took over as the chief at the Robinson Rancheria Police Department in January of 2022.
He brought with him almost 20 years of law enforcement experience, including working with other tribes at Fort Independence in Inyo County and with the Lovelock Tribal Police in Nevada, as well as serving in policing in Kern County.
Dignitaries taking part in the Thursday evening ceremony and dinner included Tribal Chair Beniakem Cromwell and Secretary-Treasurer Irenia Quitiquit; Sheriff Rob Howe; District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon, who chairs the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians; District 4 Supervisor Michael Green; Terre Logsdon, the county’s climate resiliency officer and tribal liaison; sheriff’s Lt. Corey Paulich; and sheriff’s public information officer Lauren Berlinn.
They were joined by Wheeler’s family, including his wife, their children, his parents, grandparents and mother-in-law.
Simon and Green presented a certificate from Congressman Mike Thompson, who was unable to attend, recognizing Wheeler’s achievement.
Simon said that, from the county perspective, the milestone was about collaboration and cooperation.
He said he’s always admired how Robinson Rancheria has handled its police force.
During his remarks, Simon said that the milestone was one that all tribal nations in Lake County can be proud of.
“It’s a good night to be here,” Simon said.
For tribes, having a police department isn’t just another administrative function, but a way of reflecting their sovereignty, explained Christopher Lorenz, special agent in charge for the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ District IX, based in Sacramento.
Lorenz oversees the 104 tribes located completely within the state of California. Altogether, there are 109 tribes with a presence in the state.
Of those, Lorenz said Robinson Rancheria is one of only 22 with a federal cross-deputization agreement for policing, which Chief Hochstein said was a six-month process to complete.
Lorenz underlined the importance of having a police department, adding that it says a lot about what Robinson Rancheria wants in the future.
It sets a good example for other tribes and encourages them to have departments of their own, Lorenz said.
“Partnership is really the key,” said Lorenz, adding that he sees tribe officers as “free” officers for the county in which they are located, as they can be available to assist other agencies.
Sheriff Howe said that in today’s society, making the decision to get into law enforcement is a difficult one, with the work being important but often thankless.
He thanked Wheeler for getting into the profession at a time when society needs him the most.
Howe emphasized three words to Wheeler: Honor, integrity and respect.
He said for Wheeler to honor himself, the tribe and his family, to live his life and do his job with integrity, which no one can take from \him; and to treat all with respect, remembering that some may not respect him in turn, and others may not deserve his respect.
If Wheeler did those things, Howe added, he would make a difference.
Wheeler’s family also spoke, including his parents, Kelly and Becky Willard, and grandmother, Arlene Willard, who expressed to him how proud they are of his achievements.
His wife said he’s dedicated his life to protecting people, and has run through fires to save people, protected children from predators and given first aid.
“This is what he was meant to do,” Carter said, adding that his family will be there to support him.
The highlight of the evening was when Cromwell led Wheeler through a code of ethics before Hochstein gave him his oath and Carter pinned on his new badge.
Wheeler, who started with the tribe’s casino security department, recounted how tribal members welcomed his questions, and shared with him their culture and language.
He said he started his new journey into policing on Jan. 18, and on April 1 started the academy in Artesia, New Mexico, where he spent long days but created deep bonds with other officers in training from tribes around the country.
“I came back home with a larger fire inside of me,” Wheeler said, adding that he wants to learn more about the Pomo tribe and that he’ll do his best every day.
Hochstein pledged to support Wheeler and give him everything he needs to succeed in the days ahead.
Hochstein said anyone interested in joining the Robinson Rancheria Police Department can call the agency’s duty phone number at 707-533-0011 for more information.
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Robinson Rancheria celebrates milestone for tribal police department
- Elizabeth Larson
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