Major reform in law enforcement is headed to Indian Reservations across North Dakota... and the United States.

If you are a victim of a crime...and call police...it's reasonable to expect officers will show up in a matter of minutes.

But on Indian Reservations in our country, victims of violent crime report waiting hoursand sometimes days before seeing law enforcement.

That's because there are few officerscovering a large territory.

A new law signed today is aimed at changing that.

President Obama signed the Tribal Law and Order Act.

It reforms the justice system in Indian Country and will provide tribal communities with more resources to fight crimes.

Senator Byron Dorgan chairs the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

He says people living on Indian Reservations are not living in safety.

He says on the Standing Rock Reservation, for example, the rate of violent crimes is five to eight times higher than the national average.

Senator Byron Dorgan/ (D) North Dakota: they had previously nine law enforcement officers to provide seven day a week 24 hour a day law enforecm in an area the size of connecticut well it's not possible. A violent crime in progress a robbery, a rape and a call to law enforcement might get a law enforecment person there the same day maybe not with nine people there and with one on duty.

The new law will allow tribal governments to deputize STATE and LOCAL police officers as well... to help enforce laws on tribal lands. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list