Oklahoma Senate committee unanimously approves cross‑deputization agreement with Iowa Tribe

An Oklahoma Senate committee on an unclassified agenda item unanimously approved a cross‑deputization agreement between the town of Wellston and the Iowa Tribe.

Assistant Chief Denker of the Iowa Tribe and Chief Stewart of the Wellston Police Department appeared before the committee and described the agreement as part of ongoing cooperative work to support understaffed small towns. "We've had one that's been on record with the state since 1991," Assistant Chief Denker said, characterizing the arrangement as long established.

The agreement prompted few questions. Chief Stewart, who said he took over the Wellston department in February, described prior work with neighboring agencies and said the partnership helps compensate for limited staffing. "I just felt like it was necessary for them to help us and have an opportunity for our citizens," Stewart said.

Representative Provezano asked whether cross‑deputization was a new practice for the tribe; Denker replied that such cooperative agreements are common and that the tribe maintains multiple longstanding agreements with municipal and sheriff's offices. Denker also said the tribe operates primarily in Payne and Lincoln counties and is available to assist small towns facing staffing challenges.

After brief discussion, a committee member moved to approve the agreement; the motion received a second and the clerk called the roll. Senators Boren, Coleman, Rader and Howard each recorded "Aye." The chair declared the motion passed by unanimous vote and thanked the guests for their cooperation across tribal and municipal jurisdictions. The committee then adjourned.

The committee record supplied no text of the motion mover or seconder, and no amendment or conditions were recorded. The measure passed on a 4‑0 roll call vote.