No matter where you are as a practitioner in criminal justice you will encounter some barriers between you and the citizens you serve. One barrier that is typically is encountered is the way you communicate. Communication is the process of sharing ideas from one person to another. It is how we convey our thoughts and ideas about a particular subject. The better we communicate, especially in law enforcement, the more likely we are to achieve a successful resolution. Often, however, we encounter those that are not proficient in the English language which lead to other issues and hinder the process of conflict and problem solving. Think about a time when you were faced with a language barrier. How did that situation happen? How did the issue get resolved?

• Discuss cultural barrier that may be experienced between immigrant populations and the police.
• Have you witness any such communication difficulty in the way police handle incidents where language is a barrier?
• How did the situation get resolved?
• How would you handle a police-citizen encounter where you experience a language barrier when investigating an incident?

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