TRIBAL POLICE NOW IN DISTRICT II

By Vivian LaMoore, Inaajimowin Editor

As of August 1, 2023, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Tribal Police Department (TPD) set up an office and began patrolling and providing consistent service over Band lands in District II, including Sandy Lake/Chi-manoominikaang, Minnewawa/ Minisinaakwaang, and East Lake areas. Their presence there is important for public safety. Officers are making an effort to build community trust and confidence while building community relationships.

“Since taking office last July, this has been a major topic of discussion and concern within the community of District II,” said District II Representative Wendy Merrill. “We know how important it is for Tribal Police to provide a positive presence in District II.”

TPD has set up an office in the old Assisted Living Unit in DII to be able to provide timely service and safety for Band members living in the District II area and increased service and safety for all citizens in the area. The state law was amended as of August 1, 2023, to allow Tribal Police Officers the authority to enforce state law over all citizens, tribal and non-tribal, on all lands held in trust in counties where the tribal lands are located, (with the exception of Mille Lacs County wherein TPD can enforce state law on all lands within the boundary of the 1855 Reservation). Tribal Police have the authority to enforce state law over tribal members on both trust and fee land. Since all Tribal Police are POST-certified officers, they have a sworn duty to enforce the law over all persons, tribal and non-tribal, if the officer is witness to a crime wherever the crime is occurring.

In District II, there is a variety of classifications of tribal land, including trust land, fee land, and fee corporate (businesses owned by Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures). TPD has a GIS mapping system to help differentiate between all of the variations. Tribal lands in District II are checker-boarded and spread out across a rather vast distance throughout Aitkin County. Calls for service can take up to 30 to 40 minutes to wait for a county deputy to reach some of the outlaying areas. But TPD now has officers on duty in the area and can respond to calls rapidly.

But Tribal Police Officers do more than enforce laws and serve warrants for searches and other purposes. They also respond to emergency and non-emergency calls, for tribal members and non-tribal members.

“It is a blessing to have them here,” said McGregor Mayor Dake Olson. “They are very helpful, especially on EMS calls. Having them here is a huge benefit to the community.”

Olson said he can think of several times off the top of his head when TPD officers have assisted with EMS calls and saved lives by administering NARCAN or other life-saving treatments in emergencies. A current licensing requirement for all POST-certified Minnesota police officers who get their original police officer license is that of the Emergency Medical Responder or EMR.

Knowing how to perform CPR and the use of the AED on heart attack patients, or in cases of accidents, is a critical benefit to the community. Police officers often save lives by treating patients that have life-threatening injuries prior to the ambulance arriving on scene. Whether it is in a home or an accident on the road, TPD is highly trained.

On a recent ride-along, TPD Officer Josh Hemsworth said he is getting to know the community on a better level and learning to navigate the fee lands and trust lands. “It takes some getting used to. But the more we are out here, the more we learn. I enjoy being out in the community and getting to know the community members.”

Officer Hemsworth said he is a firm believer in community policing and building positive relationships of trust with community members. “Especially the kids,” he added. “The more the kids see us in a positive light, the more trust they will have with us. Then they can learn that if they need help, we can help them.”

Officer Hemsworth makes the rounds through every neighborhood on a daily basis through trust lands, fee lands, and Band-owned businesses. Completing the loop ensuring he drives through every neighborhood from East Lake to Sandy Lake and everything in between takes him approximately two hours. He said learning shortcuts traversing back roads paved with gravel has shaved some time off the route, and added a layer of dust to his squad vehicle. His loop is done at least twice daily.

Calls for service for TPD are currently handled by TPD Dispatchers when callers call directly to the department at 320- 532-3430. In case of emergency, please call 911.

“I personally want to recognize the entire Tribal Police Department, specifically Chief West and Deputy Assistant Naumann, for their time, dedication, and their community involvement,” Representative Merrill said. “They are building relationships within the Mille Lacs Band communities, which I believe is key for creating a safer environment within our districts that we represent.”