Community Gathers for Cops and Kids

On Saturday, August 3, Comanche Nation Police Department held Cops and Kids at the Comanche Nation Tribal Complex.

Comanche Nation Police Department Lt. Robert Chavez said the event helps prepare kids for the school year and youth to become comfortable around police officers.

“Cops are real people, too. We're not scary. We're real people. We have real lives,” he said. “It's better to interact with the kids now. That way, they understand that it's okay to speak to a cop, to go to a cop, to report something that they see if it's wrong.”

There were slides, snow cones, lunches and a powwow at Cops and Kids.

“Let the community know that, ‘Hey, look, you do have a culture; if you don't know a lot about it, this is what this is for,’” Chavez said. “We have some soldiers that volunteer from Fort Sill that never seen a teepee, let alone they did go over there and help put it up. Same thing with the drummers. They've never heard the drummers, the singers. They've never seen princesses for the tribes. So, seeing that stuff is good for the community, especially people who are not familiar with the Native American community. So, reaching out to everybody, not only tribal members.”

He said he was surprised by the amount of work it took to put on the event.

“I didn't realize how much work it was until I was put in this position,” Chavez said. “It usually starts about three months out. I had a month to deal with it. So, I'll at least know what I'm looking forward to next year for this event. I really enjoyed it. Last-minute stuff, working late hours, and everybody running around pretty crazy is making this event happen. So, it looks like it's turning out good so far.”

Nikolas Craig, a patrol officer for the Comanche Nation Police Department, had multiple jobs throughout the day.

“I was kind of back and forth, I guess, in a sense,” he said. “I was over at the grill for some time, helping grill the hot dogs, over to help and wrap them up, and put them in the bags for the kids and the parents.”

Craig said it was great to see all of the support for the event.

“First and foremost, I like to, you know, give back to the community as much as I can. You know, we're out here. Sometimes, all people see is the bad side of us,” he said. “So, I would like for them to see the good side, you know, and show that we give back to the community, you know, whether it's through food, entertainment, you know, the powwow grounds.”

Several outlets, such as the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Lawton Police Department, Muscogee (Creek) Tribal Police and others, participated in Cops and Kids.

There were also giveaways for children of various ages.

Comanche Nation Princess Bluesky Tosee and Comanche Nation Jr. Princess Arlene Schonchin signed the Lord’s Prayer sung by Bubba Sovo.

Comanche Nation Indian Veterans Association opened the day with the presentation of colors.