Staff Reports
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Missing and Murdered Diné Relative Task Force hosted a comprehensive Child Abduction Tabletop Exercise Level 2 training alongside the Tribal Community Response Plan training on March 26. The training was held in partnership with the AMBER Alert Training and Technical Assistance Program through Fox Valley Technical College.
The coordinated training brought together public safety personnel, community leaders, victim advocates, and Navajo Nation stakeholders to strengthen the Nation’s response to missing and abducted children’s cases.
Speaker Crystalyne Curley attended the training and expressed appreciation for the collaboration and dedication shown by participants.
“This training is a critical step forward in how we respond to missing children and support families across the Navajo Nation,” she said. “By bringing together law enforcement, community leaders, and advocates, we are building stronger coordination, improving communication, and ensuring our communities are better prepared to act quickly and effectively when every moment matters.”
The training was led by experienced presenters, including former Pima County Sheriff’s Department law enforcement agent Julian Garcia, former Pueblo of Isleta Chief of Police Victor Rodriguez, and Kevin Mariano, who facilitated the Tribal Community Response Plan session. Their expertise provided participants with practical knowledge rooted in real-world scenarios and tribal law enforcement experience.
The CATE Level 2 training offered hands-on, scenario-based learning designed to simulate the early stages of a missing or abducted child case. Participants worked through realistic case exercises, identifying barriers between law enforcement and the community, while also exploring available resources and tools to support both investigators and affected families.
Training participants were introduced to key resources available to assist in missing person cases. One such resource is Operation Rainbow Bridge, which provides direct access to the Navajo Nation Missing Persons Unit through the Navajo Police Department.
By calling the Operation Rainbow Bridge hotline at (855) 435-7672, individuals can be directed to the Navajo Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit to receive immediate assistance. The service also offers support for Navajo individuals detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, guidance on Native American rights, help obtaining a Certificate of Indian Blood, and access to behavioral health resources.
Participants also engaged in discussions about challenges faced by tribal law enforcement. Officers from the Tuba City region contributed valuable insights, highlighting conditions in the western region and emphasizing the importance of community collaboration.
Following the tabletop exercise, the training addressed the Tribal Community Response Plan, which focused on developing a structured and community-driven framework for responding to missing person cases.
The Tribal Community Response Plan outlines clear roles, responsibilities, and communication strategies, ensuring that tribal communities can respond quickly and effectively when a case arises. The plan is designed to be multidisciplinary and adaptable, reflecting the specific resources and needs of each tribal community while encouraging active community involvement.
“The Nation has a responsibility to ensure our law enforcement and executive divisions are well equipped to address a missing person’s case and build strong relationships with our victim advocates,” MMDR Task Force Chairwoman Amber Kanazbah Crotty said. “The MMDR Task Force is working to strengthen the Nation’s response to missing person cases.”
The trainings were provided at no cost to the participants and are available to all federally recognized tribal nations.
The MMDR Task Force aims to complete the Tribal Community Response Plan by the 2026 Summer Session.
For more information about the MMDR Task Force or for resources, visit their webpage: https://www.navajonationcouncil.org/navajo-nation-missing-and-murder-dine-relative-task-force/.
