The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and Mille Lacs County have signed a new joint powers agreement on law enforcement, reinstating an arrangement under which the County recognizes that Band police hold concurrent authority with the County Sheriff to enforce state law within the Mille Lacs Reservation in defined circumstances, and which provides for the cooperative exercise of such authority. The agreement takes effect immediately.
“The past two years have been tragic and difficult years on the Mille Lacs Reservation,” said Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin. “The reinstatement of the law enforcement agreement is the beginning of a long journey in restoring law, order and hope in our community. This journey will take many years.”