Workforce Language Services

I often come across articles online about police departments across the country encouraging their officers to learn Spanish to better connect with the Hispanic community.  Many times the article will also mentioned that the department has a community liaison working for the police to assist in police-resident communication.

But this particular article showed how the Newport News police are truly attempting to break through cultural barriers that often prevent Spanish-speaking immigrants from talking to the police.  Described in the article were a couple of tactics that the police used to open lines of communication, missteps and all.

Included at the end of the piece was one of their successes after patiently making themselves known as approachable in the community:

Wellington Apartments resident Carlos Rivera said in Spanish that he felt a little doubtful when the police first started showing up. But the native of Honduras said he felt confident approaching the trailer Saturday. He asked about the best way to contact them if he was having problems and what to do if he saw a crime being committed.

This particular police department’s experience shows that, to truly form a connection, sensitivity to cultural practices and perspectives is just as important as simply speaking the language of the community.