Protective Services
Tribal Attorney Office
The Nation started its in-house attorneys' office in mid-1997. The primary purpose and function of the attorneys' office is to provide legal services upon request for the Tribal Council and for national government in general. Internally, the office provides legal advice for the Nation's governmental activities in such areas as the Tribal Code, law enforcement, housing, the court, the fire department, and the environmental protection and zoning office. The attorney's office also provides legal services to the Nation in connection with its relationship with the state of Kansas, the U. S. Government, and the Indian gaming business. The attorney's principal purpose is to research and develop legal resources and strategies that serve the interests of the people and protect the Nation's sovereignty and jurisdictional powers from non-Indian encroachment. The office has assisted in amending the Constitution; establishing an official Tribal Code; managing a system for transferring national land to U.S. trust; and initiating and pursuing PBP Nation tag litigation in federal district court. The attorney's office is prohibited from taking sides in political disputes within Tribal Government and is prohibited from providing legal services to individual members of the Nation in personal matters. For more information call (785) 966-4030 or (785) 966-3940 or fax (785) 966-4035.
Potawatomi Tribal Fire Department
The Potawatomi Tribal Fire Department is a 24-hour service that provides fire suppression, fire prevention and emergency medical care on the reservation and surrounding areas as requested. Staffing consists of approximately 18 firefighter/emergency medical technicians led by the Director of Emergency Services. The department is made up of a combination of Native and non-Native Americans.
The fire department began providing ambulance response and transport services in July of 2000 to all residents living within the reservation boundaries. Nation members or employees who live outside the reservation boundaries may request the fire department ambulance for non-emergency situations or for medically-necessary transports to a doctor's office or hospital. The service is provided free to Nation members and employees. The department also has an automatic mutual aid agreement with the Delia Fire District. The department will automatically respond to any alarms in the Delia area as their call load and staffing allows.
The department also provides several services to the community including public education, CPR and first aid training, fire safety inspections and blood pressure checks as resources allow. The department has also offered several Emergency Medical Technician courses to anyone interested in a career in emergency services. The department works closely with Highland Community College and is able to offer college credit to anyone participating in these courses.
The department also provides, on a limited basis, firefighters that are trained and can respond to national wild fires and has provided personnel for national disasters when needed.
During its 29 years of service to the reservation and citizens of Jackson County the department has become known for its excellence of service in both fire and EMS. Over the past nine years the department has been recognized as one of the most advanced EMS services by the Kansas State Board of EMS and has received several Outstanding Service Awards. In 2008 the department hosted the Kansas State Fire Fighters Association Conference at the Prairie Band Casino & Resort Convention Center. The Fire Station is located at 15482 K Road, Mayetta, KS 66509. The phone number is (785) 966-2164 and fax is (785) 966-3040.
Bureau of Indian Affairs Individual Allotment Land Held in Trust to U.S. Government Burn Permit. Click Here.
For details call Rick Jones, Fire Prevention Technician-BIA Horton Agency at 785.486.2515
Tribal Police Department
Mission
The mission of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribal Police Department is to provide effective and comprehensive law enforcement for the citizens of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. The Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribal Police Department is dedicated to providing services in a 'firm, fair and consistent' manner with the utmost degree of honor, fidelity and integrity.
Location:
16344 Q Road, Mayetta, KS 66509
(located east of the Government Center)
Open 24 hours day
Tribal Dispatch/Emergency:
(785) 966-3024 or (877) 727-6743
Fax: (785) 966-2585
The Potawatomi Law & Order Code amendment requires individuals who are convicted of certain sex offenses to register with the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Police Department.
For the PBP Reservation sex offender registry link click here.
Department History
- 1996-the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation receives grant through the Department of Justice – COPS Office to start a Law Enforcement program on the reservation to be in compliance with a compact with the state of Kansas to operate a gaming facility.
- 1997- Law Enforcement department formed with the hiring of a chief of police, secretary and three police officers who begin working out of the Tribal Court building located on K Road on the reservation.
- 1998-the staff officially moves in to its own law enforcement building at 16344 Q Road and three-full time dispatchers are added. Nine more officers are hired that year for a total of 12 in the force.
- 1999-two more dispatchers are hired and a police K-9 unit is added.
- 2000-outside law enforcement agencies begin to take notice of the professionalism of the tribal police department and employees become instructors in safety education courses including Hunter Safety, Defensive Driving and Child Passenger Safety.
- 2001-department adds a records section that increases staff to 20.
- 2003-Kansas Legislature passes Senate Bill 9 which authorizes tribal police officers to enforce state law within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Prairie Band Potawatomi reservation.
- 2005-formal agreements made with the USD 337 Royal Valley School District and the Jackson County Sherriff's Department to provide a school resource officer provided by the tribal police department to the Royal Valley School system.
- 2007-Tribal Victim Assistance Program begins that includes crisis intervention and emergency assistance for domestic violence victims and their families.
- 2008-Tribal Police Department hosts 10 year anniversary celebration.
Police Officers
Tribal police officers respond to calls for service, complete investigations, conduct house or welfare checks as requested, perform normal patrol duties as well as enforce tribal criminal and traffic laws as established by the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Tribal Council. All officers are trained in and incorporate community policing principals in their everyday activities.
Officer
|
Title |
Years in Law Enforcement
|
Began Service
|
Michael K. Boswell
|
Tribal Chief of Police
|
11
|
1998
|
Wade W. G. Schneider
|
Tribal Police Sergeant/Detective
|
11
|
1998
|
Russell Whiteside
|
Tribal Police Sergeant/SRO
|
9
|
2000
|
Ryan Bauer
|
Tribal Police Officer
|
5
|
2005
|
Rick Burns
|
Animal Control Officer
|
9
|
2000
|
Rebekah Jones
|
Tribal Admn/Victims Asistance
|
11
|
1998
|
Micky Houk
|
Tribal Police Records
|
5
|
2004
|
Herbert Nance
|
Maintenance & Repair Tech
|
10
|
1999
|
John Hurla
|
Tribal Police Dispatcher
|
7
|
2002
|
Jayne Wooten
|
Tribal Police Dispatcher
|
6
|
2003
|
Michael Daugherty
|
Tribal Police Officer
|
1
|
2010
|
Terry Wilson
|
Tribal Police Officer
|
1
|
2010
|
Matthew Stout
|
Tribal Police Officer
|
1
|
2010
|
Matt Johnson
|
Tribal Police Officer
|
10
|
2000
|
Chad Kleppin
|
Tribal Police Officer
|
1
|
2009
|
Steven Smith
|
Tribal Police Officer
|
11
|
1998
|
Animal Control & Wildlife Conservation
The Animal Control unit began in March 2000 with the office being responsible for enforcing Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Law & Order Code Title 20.
An animal control officer patrols the housing sites, government building areas and other areas as requested by reservation residents for nuisance animals and other animal concerns. There is also an animal pound. Owners of impounded animals are required to remit fines and boarding costs before their animal is released.
- Rabies Clinic: Each spring a Rabies Clinic is held where reservation residents may bring their animal for free rabies vaccination and a flea and tick dip. A veterinary clinic performs the vaccination and has other supplies available for purchase.
- Adoption: Some animals at the pound are available for adoption.
Dispatch
Tribal Police Dispatch is a twenty-four/seven operation with the responsibility of supporting field officers and Tribal Fire/EMS Units. Tribal Police Dispatch is a fully operational dispatch center. During one audit conducted by the Kansas Highway Patrol, Tribal Dispatch were rated as one of the best (in security, procedures, training and operations) in the state.
Community Programs
The Tribal Police Department strives to maintain a positive presence in the community. Officers and staff are involved each year in the PBPN Gift-Drive Christmas program, the Earth Day celebration, pow wows, and other community events.
- Defensive Driving Course: The Tribal Police Department has employees certified to teach the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Defensive Driving Course. This course teaches skills to improve safety and reduce risks assumed when one gets behind the wheel. Upon completion of the course, participants may be eligible for a discount on their personal auto insurance. Watch the PBPN News, or the Nation’s website and community bulletin boards for course times and dates.
- Hunter Safety Education Course: Each spring and fall, The Tribal Police Department conducts Hunter Safety Education courses. Courses include 10 hours of instruction usually spread over a Saturday and Sunday. Hunter Safety Education provides gun safety, overview of hunting laws (both state and tribal), general hunting practices and other topics at the request of participants.
- Escorts: Escort funeral processions can be provided upon request. To request service please contact the Tribal Police Department at (785) 966-3024 or toll free at (877) 727-6743. Should the procession be leaving the reservation, staff will coordinate with other jurisdictions to accommodate the procession.
- House watches/checks: House watches/checks can be accommodated with notice from the owner/resident and can be arranged by calling the Police Department.
Hunting and Fishing
Officer Rick Burns coordinates the Hunting & Fishing program. He has coordinated with the state of Kansas to recognize certain carcass tags and hunting licenses. Hunting licenses are valid within the exterior boundaries of the reservation. Carcass tags are valid only for game harvested on the reservation.
Licenses are available to enrolled tribal members, their spouses, or parents. Tribal members may also sponsor non-members. Sponsored individuals may not hunt/fish without their sponsor present.
Hunter Safety Education certification is required for individuals born on or after July 1, 1977, to obtain a Tribal Hunting license. Hunting & Fishing licenses are required for those persons 12 years and older.
Hunting & Fishing licenses and carcass tags are available at no cost at the Tribal Police Department. Those wishing to obtain a license/carcass tag should first call the Police Department at (785) 966-3024 or toll free at (877) 727-6743 to insure Officer Burns or another staff member is available to issue the license/carcass tag.
Firing Range
In 2007, the Tribal Police Department, in conjunction with the Road & Bridge Department, developed a firing range for shooting practice and qualifications. The range consists of a 50- yard pistol range and a 200-yard rifle range. The range is located near the intersection of 150 and L Roads and is adjacent to the EPA landfill. The Road & Bridge Department moved thousands of yards of earth to accomplish the construction. The rifle and pistol range can both be used at the same time as a berm was placed between the two ranges. Thanks to the Tribal Council the range is open to the public. Individuals need to go to the Tribal Police Department, located at 16344 Q Road, and check out the bravo flag and a gate key. The flag alerts persons in the area to the live firing at the range. The flagpole is located on top of the first berm nearest the public roadway. A background check is conducted for each individual requesting use of the facility. A copy of the range rules and policies can also be obtained at the police department.