Sergeant Joseph Brooks III takes his Oath of Office on Tuesday, June 17 in front of friends and family. Sergeant Brooks began his career in 1997, holding several positions within the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services. Brooks takes pride in his achievement of occupying positions of law enforcement leadership on all three Ute reservations; he served in Chief of Police positions at the Uintah and Ouray Agency and the Ute Mountain Ute Agency.

Sgt. Joseph Brooks III completed his Oath of Office on Tuesday, June 17, his wife Fernessa Brooks pins his badge onto his uniform following the oath. Prior to this, Sgt. Joseph Brooks III has held many key leadership positions such as Special Agent in Charge of District III in Phoenix, Ariz., Assistant Special Agent in Charge, District VI, Nashville Tenn. and Chief of Police positions at Spokane Agency, Wash., Wind River Agency, Wyo., Uintah and Ouray Agency, Utah and Ute Mountain Ute Agency in Colo.

Sgt. Joseph Brooks III stands alongside Councilwoman Marge Barry (left), wife Fernessa Brooks, and daughters Raeisa and Ezri Brooks following his oath of office ceremony on Tuesday, June 17. Sgt. Brooks III shared “I am honored to be part of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s police department; I plan to use my experience and vast knowledge of law enforcement service to Indian Country in support of the command staff and tribal community – ultimately taking an oath in protection of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s members, sovereign lands, traditional customs and practices.”