Utes name new police chief

Utes name new police chief

May 10, 2001

By Jim Mimiaga
Journal Staff Writer

The Ute Mountain tribe has a new chief of police.

Long-time criminal investigator Bill Yazza was chosen for the position by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which manages law enforcement and detention for the tribe.

Yazza, who had been interim chief, replaces Dusty Whiting, who had held the top post since March 1999, but stepped down last December to head the patrol division.

Yazza plans to continue with community-policing style of law enforcement, but less aggressively, he said.

"That will change," Yazza said.

"My style is to help and consult with the people more during criminal investigations, not (have) a high arrest rate. Aggressive law enforcement will not cut it."

Focusing on crime prevention for youth is one of his priorities.

"We will pay attention to criminal acts, with a priority towards youth," he said.

"My job is to reduce criminal activity and prevent juvenile matters from getting real serious.

"We want to meet with people so they know the police are their friend, not their enemy," he said.

Yazza has 28 years of law-enforcement experience. He was formerly a captain with the Navajo Police in Shiprock.

For the last 18 years he has served as a criminal investigator for the BIA, duties he will continue with as chief.