View Full Version : What Do You Do If You Don't Speak Their Language??
HAVE ANY OF YOU LEO'S EVER BEEN PUT IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU PULLED SOMEONE OVER, AND THEY SPOKE A FOREIGN LANGUAGE, THAT YOU COULDN'T UNDERSTAND? IF SO, HOW DO YOU APPROACH THIS, ARE THERE CERTAIN PROCEDURES?? I KNOW USUALLY THERE ARE SOME BILLINGUAL OFFICERS, BUT WHAT IF IT'S A LANGUAGE THAT NOBODY UNDERSTANDS?? THEN WHAT??
Flatfoot003
02-23-2002, 16:12
Funny you should mention this. Our department just got a Language Incentive program approved after about 2-3 years of pitching it to the command staff. It calls for a 5% raise for any officer who can pass a language proficiency test for certain languages such as Spanish, Vietnamese, Laos and a couple of others. Most of the officers who participate in the program speak Spanish. The officers on duty are required to assist when needed, if they are available. It has worked out good for all involved and has provided a much needed pay incentive for recruitment. If an officer runs into a language that we don't have covered or if there aren't any certified officers available then there is a company that is contracted to provide interpreting for just about any language you could think of at any time of the day. All in all it works out pretty good for us. It wasn't always like this. When I first got here(about 6 years ago) I used to get worn out interpreting for people, because I speak Spanish. Things have gotten much better.
Stay Safe, FF003
Kahuna5150
02-24-2002, 14:08
Our department, (among many others) uses a service through AT&T, (I think it's AT&T) called language realy or something. Basically it is intended for people who call 911 and don't speak English, but we use it for getting statements and other instances when we need some help. You call this special number, (and I think you have to be subscribed to be able to do this) and the operator asks you what language you need, (in some instances they will help you identify the language of the caller by speaking to them in several different languages). Once you get the language down they transfer the call to an operator/translator who will be on the 3 way conference call and translate both ways.
Very useful service! I don't know the cost, and obviously it would be difficult, (but not impossible with a speaker phone like a nextel) to use in the field on a traffic stop. Again it is primarily used to deal with 911 calls or victims in serious crimes who we need to communicate with right away. I have personally seend it used to translate, (I think it was) Farsi. The case involved an Iranian woman who was beaten up by her husband. She didn't speak English...
Kahuna
On traffic stops, If they don't understand the word "drivers license" sometimes they understand " identification" or "paperwork." When they start looking through their stuff, I usually reach in and take what I need {license} not the $20's. lol
As far as registration, I usually just run their plates. It's easier and faster.
My attitude is that if they can't understand why their stopped and cited, it's their problem. Let them go and have it translated.
It seems that every one understands the dollar amount on the bottom of the citation. Especially when there's a few zeros.
Kahuna,
I can't tell you how many times I have used the AT&T system during booking. Very helpful.
Flatfoot003
02-24-2002, 15:19
Our department, (among many others) uses a service through AT&T, (I think it's AT&T) called language relay or something.
We used to use this system also, our 911 operators still do to a certain extent, however it was very costly and one of the reasons our department went paying the officers an incentive.
Masscop posted:
My attitude is that if they can't understand why their stopped and cited, it's their problem. Let them go and have it translated.
What would you do if you needed to do some type of roadside interview? A few people I have run into during interdiction stops have pulled the old "me no speaky" and were shocked an amazed to find that there was a Spanish speaking officer on scene. hehehe. Just sounds like, from your post, that your missing out on a very important tool for police work. Communication!
MrJim911
02-24-2002, 20:21
AT&T Language Line is what you guys are talking about. We use it and it is a valuabe resource as some of you have mentioned. The fee, I believe, is based on the amount of times you use their services. But I don't think it is very expensive. If anyone is really interested I can get some pricing info.
Kahuna5150
02-24-2002, 20:53
As an interesting side note to all this language and translation talk. I saw a special on TechTV or some other similar show that was talking about a new invention. It is a portable handheld, (well rather large handheld) device they are deveoping to do real time translations. I would bet any amount of money we will see such an invention come into mainstream use in our life times. It is much like the auto systems we all call for our credit cards and/or shopping services where you can either hit a touch tone number on your phone or speak your response to the computer.
"Press or say 1"
I can imagine our kids or grandkids laughin at us one day saying how simple we were as we had to use our hands, (to type) and couldn't just talk to anyone from anywhere in the world without having another person with us that spoke the language.
Just food for thought... I wonder where we'll be in 50 years... I look at where we've come from and can't imagine how advanced things might get... I guess the old foot beat for cops might give way to the Segway Human Transport beat? Only 100k to be the first on your block to have one, (at last bid!)
Kahuna
Originally posted by Flatfoot003
What would you do if you needed to do some type of roadside interview? ....... Just sounds like, from your post, that your missing out on a very important tool for police work. Communication!
I was refering to a basic car stop. That's what I thought the original question was.
Sure, we have officers that can speak almost anything for the times when we have to do police work, like the old days.
There's no need anymore now that we're just firemen with guns.
Flatfoot003
02-24-2002, 22:03
Posted by Masscop:
There's no need anymore now that we're just firemen with guns. :(
Sad but true my friend. Stay Safe, FF003
Kegan30317
02-25-2002, 08:45
When all else fails, hand the guy a pencil and paper and make a motion that he should write. Point to him, etc, to get him to put his name down. Show him your wallet. Pantomine works.
FWIW, I have been pulled over in other country's where I didn't speak the language. A little understanding goes a long way.
Kegan30317
02-25-2002, 08:52
One other thought. Often I will see that someone "doesn't speak english", then I will notice english language publications on in the car or in the apartment. In other words, they are BS'ing you.
Two tricks. If no one speaks english, turn to your partner and say "let's just take everyone to jail" or pretend to key up the radio and request a wrecker from radio. Frequently someone will suddenly learn english. In an apartment look at the floor and ask your partner "hey did you drop that 10 dollar bill". If all the non-english speakers look down, you've got 'em.
Originally posted by Masscop
On traffic stops, If they don't understand the word "drivers license" sometimes they understand " identification" or "paperwork." . . .They all understand "You go to Jail"!!
pintsizedpi
03-02-2002, 09:37
i pulled over a french guy the other night who had a french drivers license and passport. he spoke very little english and seemed to be confused about the concept of him running a stop sign. what worked for me was to speak slowly (most europeans know some english), and use body language to communicate.
In the end he got the idea.
BasementAddix
03-04-2002, 09:46
America should make english its national language & force people to learn it...
Kegan30317
03-04-2002, 10:33
And that would help us deal with foreign tourists how?
BasementAddix
03-04-2002, 12:17
but in nyc...that would def. help here with some of the local citizens....
GRIFFIN11
04-04-2002, 03:22
Foreign tourist are one headache, but immigrant American Citizens (legal or not) should at least show some interest (and pride) to learn the language spoken by 97 percent of the country... English.
:D
Horse Cop
04-04-2002, 09:23
I stopped a Greek gentleman once for doing 57 in a 30....he did not speak a word of English until I handed him an $86.00 citation. He cussed me out in good ol' American with all the frills!
HC
Samurai004
04-13-2002, 14:49
If you think they are lying to ya and suddenly forget how to speak English, ask them "Habla Glock?".
Just joking of course, we were told this in the academy.
Stay safe you all,
James
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