Pine Ridge Reservation Declares State of Emergency Over Lack of Law Enforcement

The reservation is dealing with a wave of drug-related crime

SOUTH DAKOTA — A major shakeup in law enforcement on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

The Oglala Sioux Tribal Council declared a state of emergency and withdrew support this week for Police Chief Harry Martinez, who has since resigned.

The reservation is dealing with a wave of drug-related crime.

Eight police chiefs have come and gone since 2008.

Not long ago, 100 officers patrolled the reservation’s three million acres.

Now there are only 30.

The council has appointed an interim police chief.