Jimmy Yang was 16 years old when he heard St. Paul police officer John Harrington speak at Johnson Senior High School. He felt like Harrington knew the challenges of being a Hmong immigrant living in the McDonough housing projects.
That was almost 20 years ago, but Harrington's message stayed with Yang, who grew up watching friends get dragged into the middle of police matters as interpreters for parents. Yang thought his community, which wasn't trusting of the department or police practices, should have officers who understood their cultural issues. So Yang, 35, became a St. Paul police officer 10 years ago and now serves as president of the Minnesota Asian Peace Officers Association, working to educate the department and community while recruiting officers of color.
On Thursday, the association presented Harrington with an appreciation award for his work with the Asian-American community and support in founding the group.
"He recognizes the importance of Asian officers supporting themselves as a whole in the department and the specific needs" they face, Yang said.
Harrington helped Yang and three other St. Paul officers form the Minnesota chapter of the National Asian Peace Officers' Association in 2008. The chapter has about 40 members across the state, most of them from the metro area.
Harrington, who joined the force in 1977 and served as chief from 2004 to 2010, said his experience as a black officer taught him the importance of diversity and support for officers of color.
"I thank you for the brotherhood and the family you've invited me into," he said as he accepted the award.
Harrington also said he regretted the fact that no Asian officers were promoted to the rank of sergeant under his watch.
