S. 572: Shadow Wolves Improvement Act

The Shadow Wolves Improvement Act is legislation designed to enhance the effectiveness of the Shadow Wolves Program, which involves law enforcement collaboration between the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and specific Tribal governments, particularly the Tohono O'odham Nation. The primary objectives of the bill include the following:

Mission and Goals

The bill proposes that the Director of ICE, in cooperation with Tribal government representatives, will define the specific mission and goals of the Shadow Wolves Program. This aims to clarify the role and effectiveness of the program in law enforcement.

Staffing Requirements

The Director will be responsible for determining:

• The total number of special agents needed nationally for the program.
• The required knowledge, skills, and abilities for these agents.

Strategic Updates

Within 180 days after the enactment of the bill, the Director must update the existing strategy for the program. This update will include:

• Measurable objectives for the retention and recruitment of law enforcement officers.
• A timeline for achieving these goals.
• Milestones for recruiting qualified agents based on staffing needs.

Information Provision to Officers

The Director will provide detailed information to current GS–1801 Tactical Officers within the program regarding the implications of reclassifying as special agents. This information must cover:

• How the reclassification would affect their pay and retirement compensation.
• The steps required for reclassification, including any training requirements.
• Exemptions from physical fitness or medical examinations.
• Whether they are eligible for overtime pay during training.
• Any additional relevant information that could assist in their decision-making.

Succession Planning

The Director will need to create a plan for timely recruitment to fill positions that become vacant due to anticipated retirements among existing special agents in the program.

Program Expansion

The bill also mandates that the Director develop criteria for evaluating and selecting additional tribal lands for establishing new Shadow Wolves units. This involves:

• Assessing the funding necessary for expansion and identifying potential funding sources.
• Considering tribal lands that are near existing federal law enforcement training facilities.

Reporting Requirements

Within one year of the bill’s enactment, the Director must submit a report to relevant congressional committees outlining the progress made in implementing the enhancements to the Shadow Wolves Program. This includes specifics on coordination with Tribal governments and the objectives related to tracking, interdiction, and investigation.

Career Conversions for Experienced Officers

The legislation also allows for experienced Shadow Wolves to be noncompetitively converted to career appointments within the competitive service after successfully serving for three years, irrespective of their assigned location. This aims to provide a clear pathway for career advancement for long-serving officers in the program.

Relevant Companies

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