Public Safety
Public Safety Department Mission
The Gun Lake Tribal Public Safety Department has been granted authority to enforce those laws and regulations as set forth by the Match-E-Be-Nash-She Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians (Gun Lake Tribe) and the United States of America.
The goal of our department is to protect human life, maintain peace and to protect the property and resources of the Tribe, its members, families and guests.
We strive to achieve these goals through self-dedication, appropriate training, utilization of officer experience, skills & talents and the use of accepted law enforcement techniques and practices.
By providing these basic core values through training, policy and sound ethical decisions, we intend to instill integrity, ethics and honesty to our members. It is our intent that we will continue working together, with genuine concern for one another, as we move toward achieving excellence in the delivery of service to meet the challenges of the future.
The officers and members of this department take pride in their position with Gun Lake Tribe Public Safety Department and are expected to carry out these responsibilities professionally, courteously and with due diligence, at all times.
About the Public Safety Department
Gun Lake Tribal Public Safety believes strongly in the Department’s mission and its strategic plan. Its mission is to “protect and serve the community of the Gun Lake Tribe and its entities through active, interactive and professional engagement. The Department is committed to providing customized service to the community exercising discretion and fairness in enforcement, building public trust in the Department and promoting the professional development of its members.
The Department currently consists of nine officers who are state, federal and tribally certified to enforce laws on and off tribal trust lands and two office support personnel. All officers are deputized through the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department. Officers provide criminal investigations, casino support operations, school and youth liaison, patrol responses and work closely to assist other tribal departments and law enforcement agencies in the area.
Public Safety Value Statement
The Gun Lake Department of Public Safety bases it operation on these statements of our values and beliefs.
We value human life: We expect Gun Lake Department of Public Safety employees to perform their jobs in a manner which emphasizes the protection of life and minimizes the risk of unnecessary injury or death to any person.
We value the principles of the Constitution of the United States of America and Tribal Government: We respect the dignity and rights of the individual. We are governed by a set of laws, not individuals. We recognize that our role as an entity of this government is to uphold its Constitution and laws.
We value the community we serve: We believe that the reason we exist is to serve our communities. We must be open and responsive to changing conditions and needs, and we must recognize and respect diversity. We believe that it is our responsibility to keep the peace, not only by enforcing laws, but also by working proactively with our Tribal Citizens to identify and reduce problems and by addressing their causes. We believe that community policing is an ongoing process, not just a program.
We value the person: We value the diversity of the individual, which stems from differences in race, age, sex, religion, sexual orientation, handicap, socioeconomic status, culture and language. We will treat all individuals with courtesy, respect and dignity.
We value our cultural heritage and traditions: We value the cultures in the manner in which we enforce the law and we respect their traditions and beliefs.
We Value Organizational Excellence: We value a working environment in which individuals work as a professional team to help us achieve our mission and goals.
We value the strength of personal character in our employees: We value open and honest communicators who display high moral and ethical conduct, integrity, adaptability and sound judgment. We expect employees to be effective problem solvers who are personally and professionally responsible and accountable.
Public Safety Department Goals
The Gun Lake Tribal Public Safety Department has been granted authority to enforce those laws and regulations as set forth by the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians (Gun Lake Tribe) and the United States of America. The goal of our department is to protect human life, maintain peace and to protect the property and resources of the Tribe, its members, families and guests. We strive to achieve these goals through self-dedication, appropriate training, utilization of officer experience, skills and talents and the use of accepted law enforcement techniques and practices. By providing these basic core values through training, policy and sound ethical decisions, we intend to instill integrity, ethics and honesty to our members. It is our intent that we will continue working together, with genuine concern for one another, as we move toward achieving excellence in the delivery of service to meet the challenges of the future.
The officers and members of this department take pride in their position with the Gun Lake Tribe Public Safety Department and are expected to carry out these responsibilities.
Public Safety Code of Ethics
As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind, to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all people to liberty, equality and justice.
I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger; scorn, or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life. I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of the Gun Lake Department of Public Safety. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided in me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.
I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.
I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before GOD to my chosen professions – LAW ENFORCEMENT.
Gun Lake Tribal Police Complaint/Officer Recognition Form
Complaint/Officer Recognition Form
Please fill out and submit the completed form to seth.carter@glt-nsn.gov
Gun Lake Tribe, per Policy 4.3.3, has an established guideline and policy to provide Citizens a way to provide feedback and praise regarding the Public Safety Department. As such, please use the link above to access the Gun Lake Tribal Police Complaint/Officer Recognition Form. If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact the Public Safety Director at 269. 397.1610.
The complaint process is not intended for concerns of those disputing a citation or arrest. Those concerns should be referred to the Prosecutor’s Office, the Court or to a personal attorney.
Public Safety Staff
Contact Gun Lake Tribe Public Safety
269.397.1610