'Policia' make most of language skills

Policia. Polizei. Keisatsu.

Whatever language someone uses to call for police along the Wasatch Front, the odds are good that at least one officer can be found who speaks it.

Some police departments across the country, especially in the suburbs, are budgeting for second-language courses for their officers.

In Utah, some police departments give hiring preference and even pay raises to officers who can speak a second language.

Utah's culture actually provides law enforcement agencies with one unique advantage other states may not have: returned LDS missionaries.

Many law enforcement officers in Utah who speak a second language learned their skill while serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Salt Lake City Police Department can respond to calls in 26 languages with its officers and dispatchers. While Spanish is the most common second language in the department, the department also has officers who speak German, Japanese, Russian and even Kakchi, Ma-ori and Tagalog.

"Law enforcement in Utah is unique. Any language out there, you can find someone who speaks it," said Salt Lake City police detective Kevin Joiner. "That stems from the high population that goes on LDS missions."

Several Salt Lake police officers speak at least three or more languages, said detective Robin Snyder. After English and Spanish, the next most known language at the Salt Lake City Police Department is sign language.

Salt Lake officers can earn "points" through what is called a "career path." Points can be earned by officers who take extra schooling, training classes or those who learn a second language. Those points can later lead to higher paychecks.

Similar opportunities are available at the West Valley Police Department.

"If you speak a second language you have a better chance of getting hired," said West Valley Police Capt. Tom McLachlan.

The Utah County Sheriff's Office counts officers who are fluent in German, Cantonese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Navajo and the most common foreign language, Spanish.

Although there aren't points assigned for additional language skills, if a job opening came down to equally qualified bilingual and monolingual applicants, Utah County Sheriff Sgt. Spencer Cannon said he would lean toward the officer with the extra language skills.

Cannon speaks a little German and knows Morse code.