Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
The FBI has published more than a dozen posters in the Navajo language to request the public’s help with homicide and missing-person investigations on or near the Navajo Nation.
The 13 posters include photographs, incident details, physical descriptions, and in many cases, rewards.
“The goal of our partnership with the Navajo Nation is to help them make their communities safer,” said James Langenberg, special agent in charge of the Albuquerque FBI Division. “The FBI has made it a priority to translate as many posters as possible into the Navajo language so we can solve these cases and provide justice for the victims and their families.”
“The FBI works to ensure safety and security in Indian Country and remain committed to that role and responsibility. Our success relies on collaboration and partnerships with our tribal law enforcement agencies, and the community providing invaluable tips,” said Sean Kaul, special agent in charge of the Phoenix FBI Division. “These poster translations help us not only connect with the community, but they provide us with one more avenue to solicit information that can help solve these crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice. We will continue to work with all our federal, state, local, and tribal partners to protect all of our communities.”
“We appreciate the effort and commitment our federal partners have in working alongside our department and the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations in solving these cases,” said Chief Phillip Francisco of the Navajo Police Department. “The posters developed by our federal partners bring light to these cases by recognizing and creating awareness through a large population of our Navajo Nation who read and speak the Navajo language. We continue to ask the public for any information that will help bring justice for these victims and answers to those with missing loved ones. ”
Anyone with information about any of these cases is asked to call the FBI office responsible for the part of the Navajo Nation where the incident occurred:
- Arizona: (623) 466-1999
- New Mexico: (505) 889-1300
- Information can also be sent online by going to tips.fbi.gov.
The FBI has a worldwide reputation for aggressively pursuing justice for victims of crimes. The FBI’s Language Services Section (LSS), part of the Directorate of Intelligence, is committed to providing Navajo translation assistance in the furtherance of investigations that bring perpetrators to justice.
To make this campaign possible, the FBI worked closely with the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety, FBI Navajo-speaking employees, and Translation and Deployment Unit III National Program Manager Paul Bargota.
“By applying established standards, policies, and protocols to fulfill these unique language requirements, we are proud to leverage our existing Navajo resources to support this critical initiative,” Bargota said.
The first translation was released in March. More are expected as additional cases are identified.