If there were a billboard as you entered Sandy Lake First Nation, CST Charlie Anishinabie would be on it!
Policing your own community neighborhood can be challenging for anyone, but in a remote northern community only accessible by air or ice road, it’s especially challenging. Working with CST Anishinabie, however, you’d think he wrote the playbook on it. His dedication to his community and fellow officers’ safety and wellbeing is unparalleled. Working with him brings not only a sense of comfort to the people being served but to his peers he serves with. His compassion and empathy are clear as he works with victims and accused alike. Treating everyone with respect, leaving personal judgment out of his decision making and investigations.
I have personally attended calls for service where CST Anishinabie demonstrated exemplary knowledge, skills, and abilities while working with complainants and involved parties to de-escalate situations and bring about resolution. On more than one occasion, it was only after the call concluded that I learned CST Anishinabie was directly related to individuals involved. His ability to set aside personal connections and approach every situation with fairness, professionalism, and the core values of our service is truly admirable.
My colleagues and I who police Sandy Lake First Nation have a nickname for CST Anishinabie: “Cheatcode.” The name comes from old video games where players could enter a code to gain an advantage. In many ways, CST Anishinabie is that advantage for us. His presence, judgment, and dedication make our team stronger and our community safer.
We deeply appreciate who he is and what he does for Sandy Lake and NAPS, and we believe his contributions deserve to be celebrated. It is truly an honour and a privilege to serve alongside him.
