For the first time, the Choctaw Nation Light Horse Police from Oklahoma will have law enforcement authority on tribal land located in Arkansas, thanks to a new memorandum of understanding with the Fort Smith Police Department. This cross-deputization agreement, authorized by Arkansas Act 594, allows officers from both agencies to respond to incidents on either side of the state border, particularly affecting the Choctaw Casino area where the casino building is in Oklahoma but the parking lot is in Arkansas. While neither agency will patrol outside their jurisdiction, they can assist each other when called upon, enhancing cooperation and public safety.

The agreement respects jurisdictional boundaries and legal distinctions, especially regarding tribal members versus non-members, with different laws applying depending on status and location, as influenced by the McGirt decision. Local officials, including Fort Smith Mayor George McGill and State Senator Justin Boyd, emphasize that the arrangement does not expand authority beyond existing limits but streamlines cooperation to better protect residents and visitors. Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton highlighted that this collaboration will improve safety in the River Valley region.