Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies Join Oneida Indian Nation Leaders to Commend the Department for its Collaboration around Public Safety
Oneida Indian Nation Announces Police Charity Golf Tournament to Benefit the Wounded and Fallen Officers Fund
Oneida Indian Nation Homelands (November 28, 2018) – The Oneida Indian Nation Police Department was recognized for 25 years of distinguished service today by dais of federal, state and local law enforcement members, including the U.S. Attorney, Oneida County District Attorney, and representatives from the New York State Troopers and Oneida County and Madison County Sheriffs’ departments.
Oneida Indian Nation Representative and Turning Stone Enterprises CEO Ray Halbritter announced plans for the Oneida Indian Nation Police Charity Golf Tournament to benefit the Wounded and Fallen Officers Fund. Slated for 2019, the charity golf tournament will be open to all local law enforcement agencies. Additional details will be announced shortly.
“Looking back, it is clear that we have built one of the best police forces in America, but its strength is fortified by the relationships we have developed with public safety officials who share a steadfast commitment to public safety, irrespective of politics,” said Halbritter. “Together, our collaborative efforts have created a national model for how tribal, local and federal agencies can – and should – work together for the good of the communities we serve.”
Oneida Indian Nation Chief of Police Gary Henderson lauded the professionalism of the department during his remarks. “During my time here with the department, I have had the privilege to work alongside some of the best, and most committed, men and women in law enforcement,” he said. “Since the establishment of the Oneida Indian Nation Police Department 25 years ago, it has become one of the most highly decorated, professional and experienced law enforcement agencies in New York, and in all of Indian country.”
Several guest speakers noted the Oneida Indian Nation Police Department’s highly trained officers, community involvement and collaboration with other departmental organizations in the region.
U.S. Attorney Grant Jaquith said, “Our special relationship with the Oneida Indian Nation is historic. We still embrace the principles born of the bond forged in the struggle for independence. In this police department, the Oneida Indian Nation has established a professional, reliable partner in the modern fight against violence, the opioid epidemic, drug smuggling and trafficking and other threats to public safety.”
New York State Police Troop D Commander Major Phil Rougeux added, “As your mission statement says, ‘Protect property, preventing and detecting crime, enforcing federal and state laws.’ That is what we’re all about, and we couldn’t have a better relationship with a more professional police department.”
“The Oneida Indian Nation worked closely with us on our drug taskforce efforts and they continue to strive to make this department one of the best in the country,” said Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamera.
Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol and Madison County Undersheriff RJ Lenhart commended the Oneida Indian Nation Police Department for their partnership and commitment to the people of Oneida and Madison County. Oneida Indian Nation police officers are deputized by Oneida and Madison county Sheriff departments, which has increased public safety and on-duty officer availability in those counties, as well as on Oneida Indian Nation lands.
“There is no better partnership than the one we have with the Oneida Indian Nation Police,” Maciol said. “Deputizing not only works for both of our agencies, but more importantly, it works for the community as a whole. We’re able to provide top-shelf, quick response to anything that may arise, and it was an honor for me to do that deputization, and it was even better when that expanded into Madison County. It is a great model that we’ve all put together, and we’ve only built upon it since then.”
Lenhart added, “Looking across the board, across New York State and across the country, what the Oneida Indian Nation Police Department has been able to accomplish in 25 years is nothing short of impressive. It takes agencies 50, 70 years, if not more to accomplish the standards and level of professionalism that we see here today. The relationship that the Madison County Sheriff’s Office has with the Oneida Indian Nation Police Department is tremendous.”
Established in 1993, the Oneida Indian Nation Police Department is a highly-decorated, professionally-trained agency and was the first tribal police force in the U.S. to receive accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
About the Oneida Indian Nation
The Oneida Indian Nation is a federally recognized Indian nation in Central New York. A founding member of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (also known as the Six Nations or Iroquois Confederacy), the Oneida Indian Nation sided with the Americans in the Revolutionary War and was thanked by Congress and President George Washington for its loyalty and assistance. Today, the Oneida Indian Nation consists of about 1,000 enrolled Members, most of them living in Central New York. The Nation’s enterprises, which employ more than 4,750 people, include Turning Stone Resort Casino, Yellow Brick Road Casino, Point Place Casino, Maple Leaf Markets, SāvOn Convenience stores, RV Park, three marinas and Tin Woodman’s Flask, a wine and spirits superstore. Proceeds from these enterprises are used to rebuild the Nation’s economic base and provide essential services, including housing, health care, and education incentives and programs, to its Members.
