Chattanooga police officers start Spanish classes

In the 27 years that Capt. Corliss Cooper has been with the Chattanooga Police Department, she's seen a significant shift in the city's demographics.

"I remember a time when Chattanooga had no Hispanics," Cooper said. "You didn't need to know Spanish."

Things have changed, according to Cooper. Spanish speakers are now spread across the city, creating a language barrier between police officers and residents.

Cooper began to combat that barrier on Tuesday by attending a Spanish course the police department is offering officers. She sat with six other officers in a classroom, and they were taught how to introduce themselves in Spanish.

The city has been offering a similar course to its employees for over a year.

James McKissic, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, said employees who have taken the class feel more comfortable interacting with Spanish speakers, and several have continued on to more advanced language study.

"They can now greet people and have basic interactions," McKissic said.

photo Pedro Pons of the Chattanooga School of Language teaches a class in Spanish for Chattanooga police officers at the Police Services Center on Tuesday. It was the first day of class, and is part of Chief Fred Fletcher's Hispanic initiative.

Chief Fred Fletcher approached McKissic and the Chattanooga School of Language about wanting to offer a Spanish class to his officers as a part of the department's Hispanic Initiative.

Laurie Stevens, founder of the school, said she was eager to develop a class with a curriculum specifically designed for officers.

"We tailored the course to focus on police-related situations, be it traffic stops or arrests," Stevens said. "We want to help police be able to keep a situation calm until someone fluent [in Spanish] can come and help."

The police officers will meet once a week for three months, and if they attend 80 percent of the classes they will be reimbursed by the city for the cost. Stevens said the cost varies, depending on how many people are in the class.

The Chattanooga department now has eight certified Spanish-speaking officers, and according to Patrol Officer Steve Bulkley that number does not meet the demand.

"Nine out of 10 times a Spanish-speaking officer is not available ... so the reality in the field is that we just have to make it work," Bulkley said.

"I won't become an expert Spanish speaker by taking this class, but I am making an effort to show that I am here for them [Spanish speakers] and am trying to help," Bulkley said. "Leaving a situation you can see a difference when you use some Spanish. People are not as scared."

Sgt. Jeffery Rearden, a court liaison, decided to take the class as a way to help calm Spanish speakers' nerves when they enter the Hamilton County Courthouse.

"It is a no-brainer for me to take this class, because it allows me to do my job better," Rearden said.

Contact staff writer Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6592.

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