¿Cómo se dice ... en espa-ol?

Warwick PBA donates funds for Spanish-language training Warwick - The Warwick PBA has purchased a handful of Rosetta Stone language software programs to enable its members to learn or to improve their ability to speak Spanish. That’s important, said Sgt. James Barnett, because the number of Latino population in Orange County has increased 43 percent between 2000 through 2006 alone. “Overcoming a language barrier while providing assistance in an emergency situation can be frustrating,” Barnett said. “I can only imagine how frightening and frustrating it can be for a person unable to communicate their needs in crisis.” Rosetta Stone uses interactive technology and an immersion approach that eliminates translation and grammar explanation and is designed to leverage the innate, natural language learning ability that children use to learn their native language. Barnett said he researched cost-efficient training methods to increase Warwick’s police officers ability to communicate in Spanish. Rosetta Stone language learning software was highly recommended by educators. One copy is kept at police headquarters for use by dispatchers, detectives and office staff. The other programs have been installed in the lap tops that are now part of a police cruiser’s standard equipment. That means officers can use their uncommitted time to learn Spanish at their own pace, or as Barnett suggested, in between catching speeders on the town’s roadway.