AI-assisted summary

South Dakota law does not define tribal police as law enforcement officers, creating difficulties for prosecuting assaults against them.

Tribal police often work alongside state and local law enforcement, especially in areas with mixed tribal and state land.

Mutual aid agreements between tribal and state law enforcement face political resistance but are seen as beneficial for public safety.

AGENCY VILLAGE, South Dakota — If a Sisseton police officer gets punched on state land in Sisseton, Roberts County State’s Attorney Dylan Kirchmeier can charge the assailant with a felony for assaulting a police officer.

If that assailant also punches a tribal police officer who’s there to assist, Kirchmeier doesn’t have that option.

South Dakota law doesn’t include tribal po

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