From a refugee camp to a State Trooper — Krishna’s journey
Bhuwan Gautam
Springfield, USA
For Krishna, 27, a former Bhutanese refugee, it was the lack of Nepali-speaking police officers in the Ohio area that inspired him to join the Police academy to pursue law enforcement education and training.
“In Beldangi refugee camp, I had witnessed tensions between the Nepali police and the local refugee community where the police indiscriminately charged on the public,” said Krishna. That incident made me think to be a better police officer who would use the power and resources not to beat people but to actually help them.”
Krisha says being a state trooper is honorable but equally challenging at times when racism is at the height. He added that sometimes the public view them as adversaries rather than members of the community.
In his opinion, as a police officer with lived refugee experience, he believes that lots of refugees and immigrants may commit crimes inadvertently due to cultural and linguistic differences and barriers.
Krishna is fairly new to the local Bhutanese community and looks forward to developing a partnership to help inspire other youths and address the most compelling needs in the community. Krishna is finding that youngsters are choosing drugs and alcohol.
“Nepali-Bhutanese community in general needs to know about police officers and how we are here to help, not hurt. Also, Nepali community members need to understand that we don’t need to be scared of the law enforcement officers,” said Krishna.
To address this issue, Krishna thinks that there has to be a public-private partnership in educating the public. But utilizing his existing community connections, he is in the process of reaching out to the local community organizations to partner with law enforcement officers and holds community meetings on a regular basis.
Krishna warns not to listen to someone who thinks they know everything about policing. “Have police officers speak! Share the video and make it viral for everyone’s safety.”
Krishna further stated that it is equally rewarding to be a police officer.
“I have had my neighbors say they feel safe because I live in their neighborhood. At this point in my career, it makes me happy just helping people. Making a difference in the community. The happiness I feel when I get appreciated from the people that I help on the side of the road,”
For the Bhutanese refugees who were tortured by police and army forces back home, it is obvious to get scared with the police.
“As a police officer from a refugee background, I constantly think about how I can build the bridge of trust between the public and the law enforcement authority,” said Krishna.