Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service and the City of Tahlequah have entered into a cross-deputization agreement that will benefit both the Indian and non-Indian citizens of Tahlequah. The agreements give local officials authority to enforce the law on Indian land and give the Cherokee Nation Marshals the authority to enforce the law on non-Indian land.

"We look forward to working with police chief (Norman) Fisher and the Tahlequah Police Department", said David Roberts, director of the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service. "Our role is to support the law enforcement efforts of the deputizing authority. We are not, and do not consider ourselves to be, the primary law enforcement agency in any city or county we are cross-deputized with. We will always work to support the efforts of local law enforcement and coordinate our activities in these areas accordingly."

"The City of Tahlequah is pleased to be a partner with the Cherokee Nation's Marshal Service in the cross-deputization program", said Jerry Cook, Mayor of the City of Tahlequah. "Following the events of last September and with increased emphasis on protecting our community against the ravages of drugs and other crimes, we feel it is important to continue the previously established agreement.

"After several meetings with Police Chief Norman Fisher, the director of the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service, members of both legal staffs, and Principal Chief Chad Smith, I was convinced that areas of mutual concern had been discussed and are covered in the written agreement signed many years ago", Cook said.

"In case of unexpected emergency needs of the City of Tahlequah, Police Chief Fisher has considerable resources from the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service to assist him in serving and protecting our residents. Over the past three plus years, we have continued to build on the positive results of sound partnerships, and I feel this is one more example", Cook said.

"Cross-deputization with the City of Tahlequah shows the growing confidence and cooperative spirit the communities in northeastern Oklahoma have in working with the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service", said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. "We continue to work together with the City of Tahlequah and other area communities to improve the quality of life for all the residents of northeastern Oklahoma."

The Cherokee Nation has already offered the city use of the marshal’s drug dog, and will work to support the City’s police on request. Tahlequah Police will work with Cherokee Nation Marshals coordinating law enforcement for the Cherokee National Holiday.