Douglas County Sheriff's Captain overseas to help with Tongan gang activity

A Douglas County Sheriff's Captain was recently in the Kingdom of Tonga to assist in the development of a National Strategy on Deportation and Reintegration by providing invaluable insight on Pacific Island gangs.

Captain Joe Duffy was recruited by the Nevada National Guard for the assignment since Nevada is home to the sixth largest population of Tongans in the United States. He was part of a team of representatives from the United States which included: U.S. Ambassador Judith Cefkin and Nevada National Guard Brigadier General Zachary Doser.

The United States deports approximately 30 Tongan nationals each year due to crimes committed in the United States. Of these deportees, many were involved in illegal gang activity as children, bringing their illegal alien status to the attention of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The average age of a Tongan deportee is 25 years and unfamiliar with traditional Tongan culture.

Captain Duffy’s training and experience in gangs was utilized to assist in instructing Tongan Parliament officials, Tongan Military, and police officers during the three day National Deportation Re-Integration Conference in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.

All expenses were paid for the US Department of Defense.