Tribe Sues County Over Policing

Jake Judd | Nov 20, 2017 AT 8:22 am

Click to Enlarge Photo: Mille Lacs Band Facebook

(AP) - An American Indian tribe in central Minnesota is suing Mille Lacs County over what the band contends is lax policing on the reservation.

The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe filed a federal lawsuit against the county. Last year Mille Lacs County terminated its law enforcement agreement with the band, leaving tribal officials without the authority to investigate crimes.

The band wants a judge to declare that tribal officers can investigate law-breaking on the reservation and to prohibit the county from interfering.



Tribal leaders allege gangs and drug dealers view the reservation as a police-free zone, resulting in increased crime and opioid abuse.



Mille Lacs County Attorney Joe Walsh has disputed that law enforcement on the reservation has gotten lax since the agreement was revoked.



Posted By Jake Judd Anchor/Reporter Jake Judd was born and raised in Anoka Minnesota where he attended high school. He attended Brown College where he graduated with a degree in broadcasting. Jake’s radio career includes news at KCII in Washington Iowa and news at KRCQ and KDLM in Detroit Lakes Minnesota.