Arlington County police are seeking volunteers willing to translate foreign languages — and ride along in cop cars.
The department, which already has some ride-along volunteers who speak Spanish, is hoping to get more volunteers who speak African dialects, French, Mongolian and Arabic, according to Detective Crystal Nosal. Those languages were chosen based on data from the 2010 census, she said.
Currently, an officer who encounters someone speaking an unknown language must call Language Line – an over-the-phone service the county pays for. But that can make situations complicated, Nosal said, with phones being passed back and forth. Having a translator makes it much easier for police to work with victims or suspects, she said.
The volunteer position requires a 10-hour-per-month commitment. Those interested can call (703) 228-7482.
