Cherokee Nation Cross-Deputizes with Washington County

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. — An historic agreement was signed last week between the Cherokee Nation and Washington County law enforcement. 

            The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department formalized a cross-deputization agreement that will allow for faster response times and more efficient law enforcement in the county.  The agreement will largely eliminate jurisdictional issues, enabling both agencies to respond to emergency calls and enforce laws on tribal and non-tribal land. The Marshals will offer a role of support to Washington County law enforcement on non-Indian land.  In turn, deputies of the Washington County Sheriff’s Department can now legally assist the Marshals in taking calls in Indian Country.  Indian Country includes land that is in trust for the tribe and individually owned restricted Indian lands.  Prior to the cross-deputization agreement, law enforcement on those properties could only be maintained by the Marshal Service or federal law enforcement agencies.

            Rick Silver, Washington County Sheriff, said the agreement is a great opportunity that will allow both agencies to pool resources.

            “Right after coming into office I was approached by the Cherokee Nation and we saw this as a good opportunity to build a relationship, so we’re moving forward with that,” Silver said. “Our understanding is that our deputies will be cross-deputized which will allow us to enter onto Cherokee Nation land at the request of the Cherokee Nation, and take action on certain incidents, which can speed up the response time if they are not available at that particular time to take action on a situation.”

            Silver said he looks forward to working with the Cherokee Nation Marshals and expanding the relationship with them.

The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service has provided community policing and public safety since its inception in 1990. The Marshal Service holds cross-deputization agreements with 12 counties and more than 40 cities throughout the Cherokee Nation’s 14-county tribal jurisdiction service area, allowing for effective, efficient law enforcement regardless of the status of land where a crime is committed. With more than 30 highly-trained sworn officers and more than a dozen reserve officers, the Marshal Service provides an important community presence, particularly in many rural areas where there was previously no law enforcement.