The Good Life – September-October 2017

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LOCAL HERO // VINCE KEMPF to me. So when the position opened up, I thought that would be a good fit for me. I also really like history and geography and learning about other cultures. I’m currently studying the Nepali language. I want to become fluent but have been working at it for 8 months. It is more difficult than some other languages I studied like German and Spanish.” Kempf’s position is quite different than his previous work on patrol or with Narcotics. He is part of a small team of police officers in Fargo. He partners with the Community Trust Officers. The other two officers focus more on at-risk youth while Kempf’s emphasis is mostly on New American parents: “We often are dealing with the same families.” Kempf is part of two-session orientation program for immigrants new to our area to explain the differences in laws here and help them fit in and become productive community members. His session can have anywhere from 7 – 30 people depending upon the month. In his law enforcement presentation he goes over laws and the role of law enforcement including the city, sheriff, and high patrol offices and how it may differ from their home countries. He does this in partnership with Shanda Hakk, a Family Strengthening Specialist at Lutheran Social Services. Their presentation often takes more time because they may be dealing with several languages and need interpreters to translate numerous times. Other orientations the immigrants have include Family Health, apartment rental specialists, FM 32 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
“I WANT TO SEE THAT DOWN THE ROAD FAMILIES CAN BENEFIT FROM THE IMPACT I CAN HAVE IN THIS POSITION – EVEN IF IT IS JUST ONE OR TWO FAMILIES WHO LEARNED HOW TO PARENT AND BECOME BETTER ADJUSTED TO THE LAWS HERE, EVE THAT IS A BIG DEAL TO ME. – VINCE KEMPF Ambulance, Rob Kupec talking about the difference in weather, and more: “It is all to help them adjust to their new surroundings and be successful.” Kempf described his role working primarily with parents as proactive: “I’ve found after over 26 years of law enforcement that if most people have continued problems with the law, often they haven’t been parented well, so I am hoping that by explaining how parenting can be done legally and what the expectations are to get the children on the right path – it will empower the parents. The children adjust quickly and learn the language. The parents are much slower to adjust to the surroundings. If they had not known English before, they may be more isolated than we would like. Rather than have them feel they need to depend on their children for all of the information, I give them my card and tell them I’m here for them. New Americans have to quickly learn all the things we have been learning our entire lives. It is difficult to not make mistakes if you do not know the rules.” In contrast to his former work with Narcotics, Kempf said that the Cultural Liaison focus has provided him with a chance to “see more positive outcomes.” He explained: “When I worked in Narcotics, I rarely got to work with anyone who was not already in trouble. I did not get to see the people who got off of drugs and moved on to a better life. With the Cultural Liaison position, I am now working during the daytime and with people who have some problems but usually not legal issues – much of my work is proactive – referrals, helping with parenting issues, attending community events.” He talked about how much things have changed locally regarding working with drug use: “When I was working with Narcotics, I only saw heroin twice. I was mostly concerned with methamphetamine and the dangers of anhydrous ammonia. If you came into contact with that – you had four minutes to get to water before it penetrated your protective suit. Now, if carfentanil gets blown on you, you can die.” urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 33
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The Good Life – September-October 2017

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