SMSC Appoints Conservation Officers to Enforce Game Laws on Reservation
Prior Lake, Minn. – Yesterday, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) signed a joint powers agreement with Scott County, Shakopee, and Prior Lake relating to the Mdewakanton Conservation and Enforcement Agency, which will enforce conservation laws on SMSC lands. The agreement follows a joint powers agreement signed in July with the State of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The SMSC’s three conservation officers are licensed by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officers Standards and Training.
“The joint powers agreements with the State of Minnesota and our neighboring governments advance the SMSC’s mission to protect our natural resources and enable us to support local law enforcement agencies when they need assistance,” said SMSC Chairman Charlie Vig. “Our conservation officers represent a mutually beneficial addition to law enforcement on tribal lands.”
Through the joint powers agreements, the SMSC’s conservation officers are licensed and recognized by the State of Minnesota. Similar to state conservation officers, their main role is to educate people about conservation laws and cite violators. They are authorized to cite SMSC members and members of the general public for hunting and fishing violations on SMSC fee and trust land, such as trespassing on non-hunting lands, baiting deer, and violating possession limits. To hunt on SMSC lands, a person must hold a license issued by the Mdewakanton Conservation and Enforcement Agency.
The conservation officers’ work is independent from criminal law enforcement, which will continue to be performed by the Scott County Sheriff’s Department and the Prior Lake and Shakopee police departments. The agreement signed yesterday authorizes the SMSC’s conservation officers to respond in a support role when local law enforcement agencies need assistance with emergency situations such as domestic complaints or vehicle accidents. The conservation officers will generally not perform typical law enforcement duties such as making arrests or issuing speeding tickets.
Each year, the tribe voluntarily contributes a total of $770,000 to the Shakopee Police Department, Prior Lake Police Department, and Scott County Sheriff’s Department for law enforcement and other services on the reservation, and these contributions will continue. The SMSC has more than 60 agreements with local governments related to shared priorities, including law enforcement and public safety.
“The Mdewakanton Conservation and Enforcement Agency is a welcome partner in our community. Conservation law enforcement is important, and these officers will also be called upon when we need extra or more urgent response in our service area,” said Shakopee Police Chief Jeff Tate.
For more information about the SMSC’s game and fish code, visit shakopeedakota.org.
About the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized, sovereign Indian tribe located southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. With a focus on being a good neighbor, good steward of the earth, and good employer, the SMSC is committed to charitable donations, community partnerships, a healthy environment, and a strong economy. Together the SMSC and the SMSC Gaming Enterprise (Mystic Lake Casino Hotel and Little Six Casino) are the largest employer in Scott County. Out of a Dakota tradition to help others, the SMSC has donated more than $325 million to organizations and causes and has contributed millions more to regional governments and infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer systems, and emergency services. The SMSC is the largest philanthropic benefactor for Indian Country nationally and one of the largest charitable givers in Minnesota.