NCJ Number
151290
Date Published
1994
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This first volume of a 15-volume set of videos instructs police officers in the use of Spanish phrases and words appropriate for a high-risk vehicle stop. ABET The video provides interactive instruction as users are given learning tasks in the course of the video presentation. The video opens with a simulated vehicle stop in which two Hispanic males suspected of having stolen the car are stopped. The officer fails to control the situation with Spanish commands and is subsequently killed by one of the suspects. The instructor notes the importance of gaining command of a situation through forceful and clear communication. Given the growing number of Hispanics in the population who cannot understand English, the instructor advises that officer safety requires learning critical command phrases and words in Spanish. The instructor first outlines the learning technique that is best for learning speech and behavior under stress. It involves mental rehearsal, visualization, and the repetition of the behaviors appropriate for high-risk situations. The core of the instruction is a replaying of the simulated vehicle stop with the proper use of Spanish-language commands appropriate for having the suspects exit the vehicle and lie prostrate on the ground away from their vehicle and a safe distance from the officer. The instruction also shows the English subtitle of each command, followed by 3 seconds during which users are to speak the Spanish translation. The Spanish word is then shown as both written and pronounced phonetically. The next segment of the tape provides instruction on nonverbal, body language that provides a cue that a suspect is posing a danger, as well as verbal cues in Spanish that indicate a Spanish- speaking suspect is about to use a knife or a gun.