Attorney General Garland talks crime, drugs in South Dakota

SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland gave a news conference in Sioux Falls Wednesday and met with local law enforcement.

During his visit, he’ll meet with federal, state and tribal law enforcement leaders throughout the state. KELOLAND’s Tom Hanson will have a full report on what Garland discussed.

Law enforcement on reservations have experienced a shortage in officers. The state of South Dakota is currently holding a tribal officer law enforcement training for 13 officers.

The Oglala Sioux Tribe has filed a lawsuit against the United States compelling the federal government to comply with law enforcement agreements on the reservation.

According to submitted written testimony to the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs , Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out said the tribe’s police department had more than 100 sworn police officers 20 years ago.

“Because of federal neglect, by 2021, we had just 33 officers and eight criminal investigators to handle over 133,000 emergency calls,” Star Comes Out said in written testimony. “That equates to just 6-8 officers working at any given shift. For comparison, the City of Rapid City has 176 officers to handle 115,000 emergency calls.”

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