September 18, 2019
White Shield pioneers tribal, law enforcement relations
BY DIANE NEWBERRY
One small step for the McLean County Sheriff’s office, one giant leap for public safety and law enforcement resources in White Shield.
In light of Garrison’s decision not to renew its longstanding policing contract with the sheriff’s office, White Shield struck up an analogous deal with the department. Executive Director of the N.D. Indian Affairs Commission Scott Davis said that this deal is the culmination of increasing partnership between reservations and local law enforcement, and he sees it as the wave of the future.
“When you have law enforcement assets around you, it would be foolish not to take advantage of them,” Davis said. “I don’t care what color or race you are, if you can detain situations and settle things down, that’s a huge need for any community.”
Groundbreaking beginnings
According to Davis, the partnership between White Shield and the McLean County Sheriff’s department began about four years ago when White Shield elders were troubled by the policies of 911 dispatchers regarding reservations.
In light of Garrison’s decision not to renew its longstanding policing contract with the sheriff’s office, White Shield struck up an analogous deal with the department. Executive Director of the N.D. Indian Affairs Commission Scott Davis said that this deal is the culmination of increasing partnership between reservations and local law enforcement, and he sees it as the wave of the future.
“When you have law enforcement assets around you, it would be foolish not to take advantage of them,” Davis said. “I don’t care what color or race you are, if you can detain situations and settle things down, that’s a huge need for any community.”
Groundbreaking beginnings
According to Davis, the partnership between White Shield and the McLean County Sheriff’s department began about four years ago when White Shield elders were troubled by the policies of 911 dispatchers regarding reservations.
