Menominee Tribal Police Department

10/23/2026

Our dispatch center’s is the Pink Pumpkin. Vote/Like Pink!

10/15/2026

On October 8–9, 2026, U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel, who heads the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin out of Milwaukee, visited the Menominee Indian Reservation to gain a firsthand understanding of our community, the challenges we face in law enforcement, and the importance of continued collaboration between tribal, federal, and local agencies.

Upon his arrival Thursday afternoon, U.S. Attorney Schimel was given a tour of the Menominee community by Menominee Tribal Police Department administration. The tour provided an opportunity to see our community firsthand and gain a better understanding of how crime impacts the people we serve. Following the tour, U.S. Attorney Schimel requested to participate in a ride-along with our night patrol shift, allowing him to experience firsthand the calls for service and daily responsibilities of our officers.

These experiences provided valuable insight into the unique jurisdictional challenges faced by law enforcement within the Menominee community, where tribal, federal, county, and state authorities often have overlapping responsibilities.

On Friday, U.S. Attorney Schimel attended the quarterly Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meeting, which brings together representatives from the Menominee Tribal Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Attorney’s Office, Tribal and Federal Crime Victims’ Offices, and the Tribal Prosecutor’s Office. These meetings provide an important forum to discuss cases, strengthen coordination, address challenges, and improve the collective response to crime and victim services.

U.S. Attorney Schimel emphasized the importance of visiting the community and participating in the MDT meeting to discuss and strengthen the ongoing relationship between the Menominee Tribe and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

During his visit, U.S. Attorney Schimel also expressed that he was favorably impressed with the professionalism and dedication demonstrated by the members of our team with whom he had contact. We appreciate his recognition of the commitment our personnel bring to serving the Menominee community and working collaboratively with our law enforcement and justice system partners.

The Menominee Tribal Police Department appreciates U.S. Attorney Schimel’s willingness to invest his time in learning about our community, experiencing our officers’ work firsthand, and engaging in meaningful discussions about the challenges and opportunities facing our agencies.

10/09/2026

On October 9, 2026, at approximately 10:20 a.m., Menominee Nation High School received a bomb threat.

The Menominee Tribal Police Department, Menominee County Sheriff’s Office, and Menominee Tribal Conservation responded to the incident.

Because the threat specifically targeted Menominee Nation High School, established emergency protocols were followed, and the high school was evacuated to its designated reunification area.

Law enforcement conducted an initial search of the building’s interior and exterior, followed by a more systematic search involving law enforcement personnel and school officials. A bomb-detection K9 was placed on standby as a precaution.

Due to the proximity of the threat and out of an abundance of caution, officials also made the decision to evacuate Menominee Indian Middle School, the Student Health Center, and the Keshena Primary School. Systematic searches were conducted at all affected school properties to ensure the safety of students, staff, and others on site.

Following consultation between law enforcement and school officials, it was determined that the assistance of the bomb-detection K9 was not necessary. After all searches were completed, all affected school properties were cleared, and staff were authorized to return.

INVESTIGATION UPDATE

The threat was determined to be unfounded. The source of the call remains under active investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in coordination with law enforcement. As the investigation remains ongoing, no further conclusions regarding the origin of the threat can be made at this time.

AGENCY ASSISTANCE AND APPRECIATION

The Menominee Tribal Police Department extends its sincere appreciation to the following agencies and departments for their assistance with traffic control, emergency response, and other safety measures:

* Keshena Fire Department
* Menominee Tribal Ambulance Service
* Menominee County Highway Department
* Menominee Tribal Enterprise Wildland Fire Service

We would also like to extend a special thank-you to the Menominee County 911 Center for its critical role in coordinating communications and disseminating essential information throughout the incident. Their assistance helped responding agencies coordinate their efforts and carry out an efficient, organized response.

The Law Enforcement Agencies of the Menominee Tribal/County Communities appreciates the cooperation of school officials, responding agencies, staff, students, and the community throughout this incident.

The safety of our students, school personnel, and the Menominee Tribal Community remains our highest priority. Thank you to everyone who assisted in ensuring a coordinated and safe response.

09/15/2026

Please join us in congratulating Officer Tenoa Johnson on his successful graduation from the Indian Country Police Officer Training Program, Class 199B, held at the U.S. Indian Police Academy Advanced Training Center at Camp Grafton in Devils Lake, North Dakota.

Class 199B holds a special distinction as the first class to graduate from the recently established Advanced Training Center at Camp Grafton. Officer Johnson is proud to have been part of this historic first graduating class.

Officer Johnson is an enrolled member of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and previously served the Menominee Tribal Police Department as a Community Service Officer. His commitment to the Menominee Tribal Community and his desire to serve others have now led him to begin the next chapter of his career as a Tribal Police Officer.

We are proud to welcome Officer Johnson to the Menominee Tribal Police Department and excited to see him put his training, dedication, and knowledge to work serving the community in which he was raised.

Congratulations, Officer Johnson! We are proud to have you as part of our Tribal Police family and look forward to watching you grow and serve with honor, integrity, and pride.

Please join us in welcoming Officer Tenoa Johnson to the Menominee Tribal Police Department!

09/04/2026

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF OF POLICE

As students return to school, the Menominee Tribal Police Department is increasing its patrol presence around school areas during student arrival and dismissal times.

I want to make our expectations clear to everyone who drives through our community:

If you speed through a school zone, you should expect to be stopped and cited.

Our officers will be placing a significant emphasis on identifying and addressing speeding and other dangerous driving behaviors that put our children, school staff, parents, and other members of the community at risk.

This enforcement effort is not about writing tickets for the sake of writing tickets. It is about protecting our children.

When a driver speeds through a school zone, they are making a choice that can have serious consequences. Children do not always recognize the danger of an approaching vehicle, and drivers must be prepared for children to cross unexpectedly, buses to stop, and traffic patterns to change.

As Chief of Police, I expect our officers to take school-zone safety seriously, and I expect motorists to do the same.

SPEEDING WILL BE ENFORCED

Drivers should not expect a warning simply because they are only traveling a few miles per hour over the posted speed limit.

If an officer observes a violation, enforcement action will be taken when appropriate.

Being late is not an excuse.

Being in a hurry is not an excuse.

And the presence or absence of a police vehicle is not an excuse to disregard the speed limit.

Slow down before you enter the school zone—not after you see an officer.

TRIBAL AND COUNTY JURISDICTION

The Menominee Tribal Police Department recognizes that law-enforcement jurisdiction can differ depending on whether an individual is a Native American person or a non-Native American person, as well as the circumstances and location of an incident.

Our officers will enforce the law within the authority granted to the Menominee Tribal Police Department.

When officers encounter a speeding violation involving an individual who falls outside the Department’s enforcement authority, we will make every effort to ensure the violation is referred to the appropriate law-enforcement agency, including the County Sheriff’s Office, for enforcement consideration.

We will also continue to work closely with the County Sheriff’s Office and our other law-enforcement partners to address dangerous driving and maintain a safe environment around our schools.

Jurisdiction should never be mistaken for a lack of accountability.

If you are speeding through a school zone, the fact that a particular officer or agency may not have enforcement authority over you does not mean the violation will simply be ignored.

A DIRECT MESSAGE TO MOTORISTS

If you are driving through a school zone, I am asking you to slow down, put your phone away, pay attention, and understand that children are depending on you to make responsible decisions behind the wheel.

Our officers will be visible.

Our officers will be watching for speeding.

And citations will be issued when violations are observed and enforcement authority exists.

If the violation involves an individual outside of our jurisdiction, we will strongly encourage and request the appropriate agency to take enforcement action.

My responsibility as Chief of Police is to protect the community, and protecting our children is one of the most important responsibilities we have.

I would rather have a driver arrive at their destination five minutes late than have to notify a parent that their child has been struck by a vehicle.

There is no appointment, meeting, errand, or destination important enough to justify putting a child’s life at risk.

Slow down. Pay attention. Obey the speed limit.

Our children deserve nothing less.

SLOW DOWN OR EXPECT A CITATION

Vincent Grignon, Jr.
Chief of Police

Menominee Tribal Police Department

09/03/2026

08/21/2026

The Menominee Tribal Police Department would like to inform the community that today, Friday, August 21, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, law enforcement agencies will be conducting a scheduled training exercise at the Menominee Nation High School and Middle School.

During this exercise, you may see:

● A large presence of police vehicles
● Emergency lights and sirens activated
● Officers responding to a simulated emergency situation
● Officers with fi****ms visibly present

Please do not be alarmed. This is ONLY a training exercise. There is no active threat to the school or surrounding area.

These trainings are essential to ensure officers are prepared to respond effectively to real-life emergencies and to enhance the safety of our community.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

08/18/2026

The Menominee Tribal Police Department, in partnership with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Indian Highway Safety Program (IHSP) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), will be participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over high-visibility enforcement campaign from August 19 through September 7, 2026.

During this campaign, officers will conduct increased traffic enforcement with a zero-tolerance approach to alcohol and drug impaired driving. The goal is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities by removing impaired drivers from our roadways while promoting safe driving practices throughout our Menominee Tribal Community.

If you plan to drink or use impairing substances, plan ahead. Please plan for a sober driver and arrange for a safe ride home. If you see a friend or family member who is impaired, help keep everyone safe by taking their keys and finding them a safe way home.

If you observe a suspected impaired or erratic driver, please report it immediately by calling 911 or the Menominee Telecommunications Center at 715-799-3881.

Your call could help prevent a serious crash and save a life!

Together, we can make our roads safer for everyone.

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

07/27/2026

Here is the map of 2026 Pow Wow traffic route.

Pow Wow traffic will be utilizing County VV West and Kittecon Rd to enter and exit the Pow Wow grounds.

Travel safe. Be patient and help us make the Pow Wow a positive experience for everyone!

Please share.

07/21/2026

MENOMINEE NATION CONTEST POW WOW – TRAFFIC ROUTE CHANGE

In an effort to alleviate traffic congestion on a major state highway and ensure residents along Fairgrounds Road maintain access to their driveways, a new traffic route will be established for the Menominee Nation Contest Pow Wow.

The new traffic route will be in effect on July 31, August 1, and August 2, 2026.

The intersection of State Highway 47/55 and Fairgrounds Road will be closed to vehicular traffic. Pow Wow traffic will be directed west on County Highway VV, then to Kittecon Road, and onto Fairgrounds Road.

Traffic will be maintained in a single-lane to help ensure the continued flow of traffic.

Traffic control signs will be posted along the designated route to assist motorists.

Additional information, including a map of the designated traffic route, will be provided in the coming days.

Please share this information to help ensure it reaches residents, visitors, and Pow Wow attendees before Pow Wow weekend.