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VIAN, OK - The Cherokee Nation and the City of Vian have entered into a cross-deputization agreement that will benefit both the Indian and non-Indian citizens of Vian. The agreement gives the Vian Police Department the authority to enforce the law on Indian land and gives the Cherokee Nation Marshals the authority to enforce the law on non-Indian land.

"Cross-deputization with the City of Vian 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 Vian and other area communities to improve the quality of life for all the residents of northeastern Oklahoma."

In Vian, the Marshals' role is to support the law enforcement efforts of the Vian Police Department.

"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," said David Roberts, director of the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service. "We will always work to support the efforts of local law enforcement and coordinate our activities in these areas accordingly.

In Sequoyah County, the Cherokee Nation Marshals are already cross-deputized with the Marble City Police Department.