Workforce Language Services

Knowledge of both Spanish and English is becoming a requisite in some professions. The following article highlights Oklahoma City Police Department’s new bilingual training program.

The Oklahoma City Police Department is expanding its bilingual education program, and it began Friday with the first day of the 124th Police Academy.

The 48 recruits will go through 28 weeks of training, including 70 hours of Spanish-language training, driver training, physical fitness and firearm training.

The academy previously taught recruits 26 hours of Spanish.

“(Bilingual training) is extremely important with the make-up of Oklahoma City these days,” said Master Sgt. Joanie Rupert, bilingual instructor for the police department.