Minnesota Sheriff Says He Serves Somalis First, In America & Overseas

A Minnesota Sheriff says he serves Somalis (in the US and overseas) first, prioritizing his culture over American safety

Deputy Jama Shine held a news conference along with two other officers.

They talked about plan to recruit more Somali officers because of Minnesota's status as home to the largest Somali community in the U.S., estimated at over 90,000 residents.

One local commissioner saying,

"Law enforcement must serve every American equally, not carve out special allegiances based on heritage"

However the Sheriff told community members:

"As Somali police officers, we work for you, Somalis."
"Day and night, we stand for you and serve you."
"As you know, we came to this country as refugees."
"There were no Somali police officers."
"So now that we have been hired, it means we are working for our own people, Somalis."

"That's why we are different from foreigners or white officers."
"And know this: every Somali police officer,
whether in the homeland or abroad, works for Somalis."
"When you are asleep at night, when you are resting, we are the ones protecting you."