A federal judge has ruled that the Cayuga Nation can proceed with its lawsuit against Seneca and Cayuga counties over their refusal to provide E911 access to the Nation’s police department.
The decision, issued Sept. 10 by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, allows claims of discrimination to move ahead against both counties.
The Cayuga Nation filed the suit after being denied access to county emergency dispatch systems, despite a statewide policy encouraging E911 access for tribal police. The Nation argues the refusal puts its citizens at risk and violates federal law.
In the court’s decision, the judge noted that the Nation had “plausibly alleged” discrimination based on Native American identity. The order highlights that local 911 access is granted to all other emergency services in the counties—except the Cayuga Nation Police Department (CNPD).
The court also granted the Nation permission to amend its complaint to further detail any alleged discrimination by the State of New York.
“All Nation citizens are entitled to emergency services and rapid access to law enforcement when they call 911,” said Cayuga Nation leader Clint Halftown in a statement. “It is unfortunate that the local Counties have chosen to discriminate… but the Nation will see this litigation through.”
The CNPD currently includes 22 officers, all with prior state or federal law enforcement experience.
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