“A No Good Cree Cop”

You say I’m a No Good Cree Cop.

When you see me, you tell your children in front of me, “If you don’t behave, that cop will throw you in jail.” Then you wonder why your children are afraid of the police and don’t think there is anything wrong in stealing four wheelers and ski-doos and breaking into houses.

You hate and despise me for stopping you drinking and driving or breaking a by-law. You ask me, “Why don’t you stop the kids that are driving around all night and stealing four wheelers or ski-doos?” You should ask yourself why they are out late at night in the first place. You don’t see what I see. You don’t even realize those are your children joyriding.

You call me when there is trouble at your house. I am more than glad to stop your husband from beating you up. 1 arrest him and make sure he goes to court by telling your story. But he tells you he loves you and that he’s sorry and it will never happen again. You drop the charges because you don’t want him to go to jail.

Then he goes back to beating you and you take it and take it and take it, for years and years and years. This hurts me deep down inside but cops aren’t suppose to cry and show emotion. That is a lie. You don’t see what 1 see.

You say it’s part of my job if I get grabbed, hit, punched, kicked, stabbed or shot and yet you call it police brutality and abusing my powers if I defend myself.

You don’t have to go to work and wonder whether or not this is your last day at work. I risk my life every time I put on my uniform. I am glad to do it because I am out there to try my very best to protect you from harm and danger.

You hate me when I arrest you for breaking the law but don’t seem to mind when I protect you from harm and danger. You don’t say “Thank You” when I help you when I am in uniform but you are quick to say “Thank You” when you ask me for a dollar so you can afford another beer during last call at the bar.

You ask me to look for your children when you get home from the bar. How can I send your children home when the reason they are outside is because you are having a house party and getting drunk till you pass out? How can I send your children home when they are safer outside than in their own homes? You don’t see what I see and that really hurts.

I work anywhere from 40 hours to 100 hours a week and you wonder why I am stressed. I am told about and see people being beaten up, I see children being neglected, I hear of people being raped, I hear of children being molested and you wonder why I am stressed. You don’t see what I see.

I work late at night and early into the morning so you can sleep safe at night. 1 sacrifice my livelihood and risk my life so you and the rest of the community can feel safe and secure when you see me drive by your neighborhood.

You ask why would I subject myself through such pain and misery. IT IS BECAUSE I CARE, I WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY, AND I WANT ONCE AGAIN THE CREE NATION TO BE A STRONG AND PROUD NATION.

Written by A Cree Cop who will do anything to make a difference for the Cree Nation. Whapmagoostui, Quebec. Inspired by “No Good Cop Pine Ridee Reservation. South Dakota.