"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Cherokee Nation Marshal Service

"The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service, with more than 30 highly-trained sworn officers and more than a dozen reserve officers, continues
to provide an important community presence."

TAHLEQUAH, OK - To provide for safer Cherokee communities, the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service will restructure its method of managing public safety and response effective this month.

According to Major Sharon Wright, the plan was originally presented to the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council approximately two years ago and will include expanding the Marshal Service’s ability to respond to situations by implementing districts.

“We are starting with three broad districts,” said Wright. “One district will be located north of Locust Grove, there will be a district located between Locust Grove and Stilwell and another district will be located south of Stilwell.”

The changes will allow the Marshals to be more responsive in community policing strategies. There will be dedicated officers assigned to each district who will become familiar with the citizens, housing and activities associated with their district.

Captain James Redcorn will be the Northern District Commander, Lt. Don Bowin will head the Central District as commander and Lt. Vince Smith will be the Southern District Commander.

“We hope to transition and be fully responsive by the beginning of May,” said Wright. “We will evaluate the effectiveness of the restructure in six months.”

The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service has provided community policing and public safety since its inception in 1990. The Marshal Service holds cross-deputization agreements with 11 counties and more than 40 cities throughout the Cherokee Nation’s 14-county tribal jurisdiction service area, allowing for effective, efficient law enforcement regardless of the status of land where a crime is committed. With more than 30 highly-trained sworn officers and more than a dozen reserve officers, the Marshal Service provides an important community presence, particularly in many rural areas where there was previously no law enforcement.