Essential Spanish for Law Enforcement and Corrections

Essential Spanish for Law Enforcement and Corrections is a 2 1/2 day class designed to assist the officer who has little to no knowledge of the Spanish language. Students will learn the basics of the Spanish language and will be required to learn phrases and words that are helpful when dealing with Spanish speakers. Participants should leave the training with enough knowledge to get through a traffic stop, gather vital information for reports, be able to gauge the knowledge of the Spanish speaker's ability to know or speak English, and ascertain medical needs. There will be a discussion on officer safety concerns with an emphasis on body language dangers.  Culture and customs will be discussed to minimize misunderstandings and predict some behavioral patterns by Latinos.  

There will be a testing component to the course. This will be a scenario that will have mandated components that must be met. 

Core Competencies

• Participants will be able to determine a Spanish speaker's state of mind and English proficiency by applying their acquired language skills.  
• Participants will develop rapport with Spanish speakers by recognizing cultural and language cues within the context of a Law Enforcement contact.  
• Participants will be able to safely conduct a traffic stop, gather vital information for reports and obtain medical needs in Spanish.    

Who should attend

• Patrol Officers
• Detectives
• Supervisors
• Telecommunicators
• Detention Officers

Methodologies

• Lecture
• Group Discussions with Video/Audio Analysis 
• Practical Exercises and Scenarios

Course Requirements

• 100% Attendance
• Complete a practical exercise and written exam with a combined score of 80% or better. 

Primary Course Objectives

• Participants will apply rules for Spanish pronunciation. 
• Participants will demonstrate knowledge of the Spanish alphabet, months, colors and times to obtain vital information to include in reports. 
• Participants will identify common Spanish greetings, various cultures and body language cues.
• The participant will demonstrate knowledge of basic medical needs using acquired Spanish speaking skills. 
• Participants will demonstrate knowledge by using Spanish phrases for scene control, officer safety tactics, traffic stops and arrest procedures.