November 24, 2020 –
Olympia – The Washington State Patrol Government and Media Relations (GMR) team will welcome Ms. Dawn M. Pullin in her new role as Eastern Washington Tribal Liaison beginning Tuesday, Dec. 1.The 2019 passing of 2nd Substitute House Bill 1713 established two tribal liaison positions within the Washington State Patrol. The first position was filled in November of 2019, but filling the second position was delayed by funding constraints related to the covid pandemic. The two positions will work together to continue building relationships that increase trust between government organizations and Native communities. Specifically, she will facilitate WSP communication among:
* Eastern Washington Indian Tribes
* Urban Indian organizations and communities
* Tribal liaisons in other state agencies
* Law Enforcement agencies at the federal, state, local and Tribal level
* Nongovernmental entities that provide services to Native American women
Job responsibilities include developing best practices protocol for law enforcement response to missing person’s reports for indigenous women and other indigenous persons. This position will also provide guidance on the inclusion of tribal issues in the development of agency plans, programs, and policies.
Ms. Pullin is an enrolled Spokane Tribal Citizen in Eastern Washington where she grew up. Sadly, she has direct experience in the concern of murdered and missing indigenous women which will assist her in bringing compassion, empathy, understanding and passion to her role with the WSP. She joins Ms. Patti Gosch, a 21 year veteran of law enforcement and tribal advocacy, who has been attending to the liaison needs across the state until the second position could be filled. Ms. Gosch will now focus on tribal concerns emanating from the western side of the state.
“I am looking forward to connecting and collaborating with tribal communities in Eastern Washington to address the alarming statistics of violent crimes experienced by our Native women,” said Ms. Pullin upon her hiring. “I share my hope with all that the position has the potential to build bridges between jurisdictions, close communication gaps and offer solutions to data sharing challenges.”
Ms. Pullin has worked for a variety of tribal organizations, from the Indian Health Service as a Contracting Officer to the Chief Executive Officer for the Spokane Tribe’s Enterprises. In between, she was the Director of the Spokane Tribe’s Temporary Assistance to Needy Families. In total, she’s worked in tribal organizations serving the indigenous community for over 20 years.
She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Washington University in 2003 in Business Administration and later completed her Master’s in Business Administration in 2006 from the University of Phoenix.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dawn to the team,” said WSP Chief John Batiste. “This work will help us continue to bridge gaps that have existed between law enforcement and previously underrepresented communities and we appreciate the leadership from the Legislature and Governor in securing the resources necessary to make this vital work possible. ”
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