Another year of progress for CNO Judicial Branch and Public Safety

In 2024, the Choctaw Nation saw continued success in its Judical and Public Safety sectors.

On Jan. 19, 2024, several Lighthorse officers received the “Life Saver” award in appreciation of their outstanding efforts. Officer Christian Minyen was able to clear an airway obstruction on an infant. Officers Brenton Hall and Robert Rocha rendered aid to a suicidal subject who shot himself. Officer Danny Smith and Sergeant Jeff Bryant each revived an overdose subject with Narcan. Sergeant Jacob Heath revived a man with his Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). Sergeant Cody Donoley and Officer Zach Chavez performed CPR and utilized an AED to revive a female. In conjunction with the awards, Officer Robert Toon was promoted to Lieutenant.

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) held the swearing-in ceremony for Appellate Judge Fob Jones on Feb. 2 at the Choctaw Nation Judicial Center in Durant, Okla. CNO employees, CNO judges, and friends and family of the newest judge attended the ceremony.

On Aug. 25, Chief Batton and Assistant Chief Jack Austin, Jr. attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of the Ahni Center at the Chief Gregory E. Pyle Tribal Complex in Durant. The Center is the first tribal Family Justice Center of its kind in Oklahoma’s Indian Country. “Ahni” translates to “hope” in the Choctaw language.

The Ahni Center addresses the physical and emotional needs of victims of child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault and has services available to begin the healing process. The Center provides forensic interviews, Sexual Assault Nursing Exams for adults and children, and therapy for child and adult victims. In addition, the Ahni Center will give referrals for victim services, assistance with victim services applications, victim advocacy, and court preparation.

The Choctaw Nation’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) works tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of everyone who lives within the reservation boundaries. Through various avenues such as the Community Protection Team, Lighthorse Police, Tribal Security, training workshops and more, the DPS is a versatile and responsive resource for tribal and local law enforcement.

The DPS also works closely with local law enforcement agencies to ensure jurisdictional laws are honored while keeping all residents safe.

This year, the DPS launched a public non-emergency dispatch line (580-920-7000). The dispatch center is located in Durant and sends out security officers and Lighthorse police from assigned zones.

The Choctaw Nation’s Injury Prevention Program held several car seat checks throughout it’s reservation in 2024. Children Matter is part of the program, which provides education for properly installing car seats for children who are members of a federally recognized tribe.

The goal of the Injury Prevention Program is to focus special attention on activities to prevent or reduce the occurrence of injuries for Native Americans residing in the Choctaw Nation service area.

One way this is done is by ensuring that Native Americans living on the Choctaw Nation reservation have access to adequate child passenger safety seats or equipment appropriate for their child.

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) Office of the Tribal Prosecutors concluded its most recent series of law enforcement roundtables between tribal, local, and state law enforcement agencies and prosecutors. Four meetings were held across the reservation, with over 77 attendees representing over 30 law enforcement agencies.

In the meetings, Mike Haggerty, Tribal Prosecutor for the Choctaw Nation, discussed recent updates to CNO’s Tribal Codes and addressed ongoing challenges, along with the steps taken by the CNO Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and Lighthorse Police to address them. Agencies also discussed their challenges and networked with their law enforcement partners.