The Howard County Police Department?s effort to help the county?s growing Hispanic population has gained it a statewide honor.
Gov. Robert Ehrlich?s Commission on Hispanic Affairs recently gave the police?s Hispanic Initiative one of 11 Hispanic Achievement Awards.
“Outreach to the Hispanic community is a priority for our agency,” said Brandon Justice, a police officer involved in the initiative.
The Hispanic Initiative began last year after the police department recognized the substantial growth of Hispanics in the county, he said.
“We translate documents from English to Spanish, for example, protection from abuse orders and interrogation and waiver forms,” Justice said.
Police also have established:
» A 24-hour on-call system for Spanish-speaking officers to respond in situations where they?re needed
» A Spanish course for officers that provides them with language skills to communicate with non-English speakers
» A nonemergency line in Spanish
» A community liaison officer. The initiative has also involved officers hosting open house events and visiting churches with large Spanish-speaking congregations.
In a news release, Ehrlich said, “Maryland?s Hispanic community is an integral part of our state?s economy and social fabric.
“I am delighted to join the Hispanic Commission, honorees and friends for this event, which highlighted the outstanding contributions made by movers and shakers, men and women, young and young at heart who work tirelessly day to day to enhance the quality of life for our state?s Hispanic population.”
Murray Simon, president of Conexiones, a Howard County organization that promotes educational programs among Hispanics, was also named a Hispanic Achievement winner. He could not be reached for comment.
By the numbers
The Hispanic population in Howard County was 3,699 in 1990. That number jumped 168 percent to 9,921 in 2004.
– From the U.S. Census Bureau
tjohnson@baltimoreexaminer
