Flandreau Tribe Cuts Ties with City Police after 16 Years

FLANDREAU, S.D. (AP) — The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe is cutting ties with the city of Flandreau's Police Department, after deciding to legalize marijuana.

City officials tell the Argus Leader the tribe gave the city a 90-day notice in June that it will end its 16-year policing agreement, effective Sept. 4. The tribe will form its own police department.

Attorney General Marty Jackley confirmed the development. The tribe didn't immediately comment.

Flandreau Mayor Mark Bonrud says he thinks the move is related to the tribe's decision to grow and sell marijuana for recreational and medicinal use by the end of the year.

The tribe's decision means less federal funding for city police. Police Chief Anthony Schrad says he'll have to lay off three of his seven officers, including a school resource officer.

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