Northside Hmong families celebrate new Hmong police officer
By: Jay Clark 10/01/2011
Caption: North Minneapolis Hmong soccer players greet Officer Kou Vang, and thank Councilmember Don Samuels.
On August 31, 25 North Minneapolis Hmong soccer players came to ‘Dessert with Don Samuels’ to meet and celebrate their new 4th Precinct Police Outreach Officer, Kou Vang.
For three years, North Minneapolis Hmong families have been campaigning for a day-time Hmong officer in the 4th precinct. They have organized 100-person meetings with Councilmembers Samuels, Hofstedt and Johnson; gone downtown and made their case to Chief Dolan; and collected 1000 postcards requesting a Hmong officer and dropped them in Mayor Rybak’s lap.
Although nearly 75 percent of all Minneapolis Hmong live in North Minneapolis, there were no 4th Precinct day Hmong officers before the arrival of Kou Vang. Hmong families believe that it is essential to have Hmong officers because many elderly Hmong, as well as many families who have recently arrived in America, speak limited English. They say a Hmong speaking officer can overcome the language barrier and build communication, cooperation and trust between the MPD and the Hmong community. Many Hmong have also said that they feel more comfortable speaking with an officer who knows Hmong culture.
Officer Vang has been meeting with the Henry High Asian Club, and over the next few weeks he will be visiting schools, soccer games, businesses and homes.