NORTH LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The North Las Vegas Police Department is rolling out a new session of a community program specifically designed for Spanish speakers.
The North Las Vegas Hispanic Citizens Academy is designed for people who want to ask police officers questions directly but may face language barriers. The program aims to turn uncertainty into understanding between families and law enforcement.
“The Hispanic Citizens Academy is a program that the North Las Vegas Police Department offers for our citizens, for our residents, where they get to learn different aspects of law enforcement,” said North Las Vegas police officer Michelle Martinez.
Building bonds through hands-on experience
Officer Michelle Martinez, who has participated in the academy for years, said the biggest impact happens when people meet officers outside of emergency calls.
“I’ve done it several years, I absolutely love it, every time when it’s over, it’s like, ‘Oh man, you get to have that bond with them,’” Martinez said. “They see really cool things like, they get to see SWAT, they get to see canine, a bite demonstration, DUIs.”
Martinez said the classes are meant to build bonds and offer a new perspective for people who may not always feel comfortable speaking up.
“To see the residents kind of put themselves in the shoes of a police officer is really good because then they realize, ‘Oh, I can see why police officers always ask people to put their hands on the wheel,’” Martinez said.
Addressing community mistrust
Martinez said the program also addresses mistrust that can exist in the Hispanic community when it comes to law enforcement.
“I would like for the Hispanic community to know that we are open and we are welcoming of them,” Martinez said. “We’d like for them to participate in this so that we can build a better relationship with them, so that they can see that officers are human just like them.”
To apply, residents must live or work in North Las Vegas, be at least 18 years old and pass a background screening. The classes start March 27 and will be held every Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m.
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