For the first time, an Oklahoma tribal police department will be able to enforce laws on tribal land located in Arkansas.
A new memorandum of understanding between the Fort Smith Police Department and the Choctaw Nation Light Horse Police formally cross-deputized both agencies.
The agreement directly affects the Choctaw Casino area, where the casino building sits in Oklahoma, but the parking lot lies across the state line in Arkansas, allowing officers from both agencies to respond to calls on either side of the border.
“We’re not going to be policing or patrolling the casino parking lot. But if they call us and ask for help, then we will have the ability to respond and assist,” Fort Smith Police Chief Danny Baker said.
