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 DepartmentThe 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 15468 K Road, Mayetta, KS 66509. The phone number is 785.966.2164 and fax is 785.966.3040.
Law Enforcement Program
The Law Enforcement Program is responsible for providing police services to the 121 square miles of the reservation as well as tribal property off the reservation on a 24 hour per day basis. Services include enforcement of Tribal codes, ordinances and regulations as well as State and Federal statutes and the protection of peace, health, safety and property of reservation residents and businesses. Police officer candidates must pass a stringent hiring process to ensure employment of quality individuals. The department has established strict hiring standards for officers and staff. After completing the screeningprocess each officer candidate must be certified as a police officer by the state of Kansas which necessitates successful completion of an accredited police officer training academy. Upon certification, commissioned police officer must maintain a minimum of 40 hours of continuing education training each year. Officers must qualify by reissuing firearms every six months and with the baton, by being skilled with defensive tactics, handcuffing procedures and in public relations skills on an annual basis. The department also operates the emergency communications center for the Nation. Dispatchers are required to complete an in-house training program and must be certified to operate the CJIS (Criminal Justice Information System) terminal by the FBI through the Kansas Highway Patrol within six months of hire. Dispatchers attend to law enforcement-related calls, fire and EMS calls. The Police Department also oversees the Nation's “Tribal Victims Assistance Program.” The Police Department strives to maintain 24- hour a day patrol to protect the lives and property of the residents and visitors to this Nation. (785) 966-3024 or fax (785) 966-2585 or (877)727-6743.