Nixwa, one of the newest members of the Grand Ronde Tribes police force. Photo from Smoke Signals

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in Oregon have quickly built up a law enforcement department.

Just a year ago, police chief Al LaChance had two officers and a trainee on staff. Since then, he's added four more employees, plus a drug dog named Nixwa, and he oversees another four officers under a contract with Polk County.

"It’s been a crazy year to say the least,” LaChance told The Polk County Itemizer-Observer.

The department will be taking on even more duties because the county has to end the contract due to budget cuts. LaChance is seeking funds to cover at least three officers.

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Tribal police agency rapidly growing (The Polk County Itemizer-Observer 6/10)