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Quapaw Nation cross-deputizes local law enforcement

Quapaw Nation Marshalls have officially cross-deputized law enforcement officers in the surrounding area.

The tribe says this is the first step to improving cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, and another in strengthening Quapaw Nations public safety commitment to the community.

“With the recent Lawhorn decision and reaffirming of the reservation boundaries for the Quapaw Nation, this allows for assistance in joint cooperation between the law enforcement agencies to provide law enforcement services within the Quapaw Nation,” said Quapaw Nation Chief Marshall Charlie Addington.

The cross-deputization process allows local law enforcement agencies to respond and assist tribal marshals or enforce Quapaw nation laws within the reservation boundaries.

Addington and Quapaw Nation Chairman Joseph Byrd have cross-deputized the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Ottawa County Sheriff’s, city of Miami, Miami Nation, Commerce, and Grand River Dam Authority police departments.

“It really expands our ability to address crimes, perpetrators that come into the reservation. Whether its a non-tribal person, whether it’s a non-Quapaw person or even Quapaw, that ability to continue to address concerns of the community doesn’t stop at the reservation,” said Byrd, calling it a historic moment. “Certain reservations within the state of Oklahoma were reaffirmed with the McGirt decision in July of 2020. Since that time, the Quapaw Nation has worked to revamp and build upon our tribal court system, our law enforcement agency and our department of public safety.”

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has stated the McGirt ruling, which found that the Muscogee Nation and other Oklahoma reservations were never legally dissolved, threatens Oklahoma’s sovereignty and creates a public safety nightmare.

The verdict found Oklahoma prosecutors lack the authority to pursue criminal cases against Native Americans who commit significant crimes on their reservation. However, that does not protect the alleged criminals from federal or tribal court systems.

“[Cross-deputization] just allows everyone to work and provide public safety services seamlessly without having to worry about, do you have the authority to or not,” said Addington. “This is just one of the necessary things to make sure everyone can work together and provide public safety services to communities whether you are a tribal citizen or not.”

Click here to watch the full press conference

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