Tribe: Public Safety on Minnesota Reservation Worsened

ONAMIA (AP) - Leaders of a Native American tribe say public safety on their central Minnesota reservation worsened last year when a nearby county terminated its law enforcement agreement with the tribe, leaving the tribe without policing power.

The agreement allowed tribal police to provide law enforcement on the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe reservation. Without it, tribal officers don't have authority under state law to act as peace officers and pursue investigations.

They can arrest suspects, but they must turn them over to the Mille Lacks County sheriff's office.

The change comes amid a growing problem of opioid abuse in the area. The tribe says it's had nearly 50 overdoses this year, including a few deaths.