NCJ Number
132697
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 39 Issue: 3 Dated: (March 1991) Pages: 38-42
Date Published
1991
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article critiques alternatives for training police officers in targeted foreign language proficiency (usually Spanish) and recommends a cost-effective method for such police training.
Abstract
Traditional alternatives for addressing language barriers in law enforcement have major drawbacks. One major approach involves the use of civilian translators. This has the drawbacks of using people unfamiliar with law enforcement procedure and people who may assume the role of advocate for the subject. Other approaches attempt to either hire officers who speak target languages or instruct officers in the target language through comprehensive instruction over the short term or long term. Attempts to hire more Spanish-speaking officers have not met with great success due to the Hispanic culture's low regard for police officers. Efforts to train police officers in comprehensive language communication exchanges are expensive and generally ineffective over the long term. The most effective approach is to teach officers how to render in the target language the commands most often used in street encounters. It is not necessary that officers learn how to engage in a language interaction with subjects. All that is necessary is that officers be able to communicate commands with which the subject must comply. Questions that can be answered with a "yes" or "no" can also be taught. 5 resource listings