Cross-Deputization Helps Solve Jurisdictional Issues

ADA, Okla. (AP) -- Signs usually tell travelers when they're crossing into tribal territory in Oklahoma, but law enforcement officials say criminals don't recognize such boundaries. That's

Tuesday, May 29th 2007, 7:06 am

By: News On 6

ADA, Okla. (AP) -- Signs usually tell travelers when they're crossing into tribal territory in Oklahoma, but law enforcement officials say criminals don't recognize such boundaries. That's why they're praising cross-deputization agreements, which allow non-tribal law enforcement agencies to intervene in crimes on tribal land and for tribal police to do the same on non-Indian land.

In December, when a man who was angry and depressed fired a gun at a Chickasaw Nation truck plaza, an Ada police officer was able to answer the call within minutes. The nearest tribal officer was in the next county.

Jason -O- Neal, chief of the Chickasaw's 3-year-old Lighthorse Police Department, said his agency has 28 cross-deputization agreements in the 13-county, 8,000-square mile area where Chickasaws hold land.

The most recent was signed Thursday between the tribe and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control.

State records show 13 tribes, 32 counties, 80 cities, six district attorneys, three colleges and eight state agencies have had current or former cross-deputization agreements since 1991.