Action Spanish For Law Enforcement : Spanish For Beginners / With Cd - 02 edition

Action Spanish for Law Enforcement began in the summer of 1996. Our task was to prepare a living "action-oriented text" which would address the needs of real law enforcement-criminal justice professionals. We decided that the book must have four elements: a) authentic law enforcement language and situations must be used; b) no grammar explanations would be appropriate; c) an action-oriented video and audio CD must accompany the project; and d) many cognates or words with similar looks and meaning would be the basis for easy to master Action Scenes and Scenarios of each chapter.

The book was then piloted for two years by Spanish for Law Enforcement classes. Students had adequate time to provide input for changes. Our support law enforcement personnel also provided help to make the language authentic, (i.e., sound like real-life Spanish).

Finally, the project spanned to three authors in two countries, which has given this project a fully international dimension. Our greatest challenge was adapting this text to include practical Spanish. The focus is in using Standard versions with some non-standard (slang) notations. We would hope that instructors would understand the difficulty of writing a universal text for all situations that would include consideration for all varieties of Spanish. Because of this impossibility, we hope that instructors will feel free to substitute regional and local variations of Spanish to help students reach their goals. Naturally, familiar forms and slang should be adapted as needed.

In any class, both instructors and students must feel that the text, video, and audio CD material are geared to meet their needs. We hope that we have succeeded in reaching that goal.

- Michael Kane, Division Chairperson of Protective Services, Coastal Bend College, Beeville, Texas
- Barbara M. Welder, Professor of Spanish, Coastal Bend College, Beeville, Texas
- Dalel Comes, Director, Mexican Immersion Center, Cuernavaca, Mexico.

Kane, Michael : Coastal Bend College

Welder, Barbara : Coastal Bend College

Cortés, Dalel : Mexican Immersion Center, México

I. CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS.

1. Homicide.
2. Robbery.
3. Assault.
4. Sexual Assault.
5. Child Abuse.
6. Domestic Dispute.
7. Missing Persons.
8. Curfew Violation/Criminal Trespass.

II. CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY.

9. Burglary.
10. Theft.
11. Motor Vehicle Theft.
12. Vandalism: Criminal Mischief.

III. TRAFFIC ENCOUNTERS.

13. Driving While Intoxicated/Driving Under the Influence.
14. Traffic Stop: Low Risk.
15. Traffic Accident Investigation.
16. Consent Search.

IV. TACTICAL OPERATIONS.

17. Execution of a Warrant.
18. Traffic Stop: High Risk.
19. Suspicious Person: Arrest/No Arrest.

V. PENAL INSTITUTIONS.

20. Booking Procedures.
21. Correctional Officer Commands.

VI. DISPATCHING.

22. Emergency Medical Dispatch.
Appendix A: Sounds in Spanish.
Appendix B: A Pronunciation Guide.
Appendix C: Miranda Warning.
Appendix D: Non-Standard Slang.
Appendix E: Legal Terminology.
Appendix F: Oral Evaluation for Action Scenarios.
Appendix G: Action Cards.