10 minute read
Language no barrier
Editorial: Lane Mihaljevic
Just like the Victorian community, Victoria Police members hail from all walks of life, and some have the ability to speak a second language.
To find out how the force’s bilingual police and protective services officers use their language skills day-to-day, Police Life spoke to five members who say they feel privileged to be able to connect with the community in a way others can’t.
Leading Senior Constable Lisa Lorenz
Tell us a bit about your job.
I am the officer in charge of the single-member police station in Tangambalanga, in Victoria’s north east.
What languages do you know?
My Dad was German, and I know just enough to ask German-speaking drivers for their licenses and tell them off for speeding, which has been useful at times. In 2018, after using the notes app on my phone to muddle through a conversation with a driver who was deaf, I decided I wanted to learn Auslan, which is Australian Sign Language.
How did you learn Auslan?
I did everything I could find online to learn Auslan myself and, once I was comfortable with the basics, I decided to keep going and started my Certificate 2 in Auslan through Melbourne Polytechnic. I studied part-time for four years, completing my Diploma of Auslan in 2022. While I’m not qualified to be an interpreter, I can sign to communicate with deaf and hard-of-hearing people, as well as people who use Auslan with disabilities such as speech apraxia and autism.
When has being able to sign Auslan come in handy?
Earlier this year, I went to a rural property to look for a missing person and needed to speak to a young woman. While I was chatting with her, I noticed that she was mostly watching my lips. When I asked if she could hear me OK, she told me that she was deaf in one ear and needed a hearing aid in the other, which she didn’t have in. But by signing at the same time as speaking, I was able to continue my conversation with her, and she opened up to me about her situation and shared information that I would not have received otherwise.
What is your favourite part about being able to sign Auslan?
So many students learn a language other than English in schools, yet deaf people in our own communities are often forgotten. What I love most is when I sign to a deaf or hard-of-hearing person and they are genuinely pleased that a hearing person would learn their language and know the conversation is going to be easier on them.
First Constable Abdelrahman Bakri
Tell us a bit about your job.
I’m a general duties police officer at Avondale Heights. My job involves patrolling neighbourhoods, responding to various incidents and keeping the community safe.
What languages do you know?
I speak both English and Arabic fluently. Arabic is my native language, which I’ve known my whole life, and I’ve spoken English for many years, especially since moving to Australia, and it’s become just as natural for me.
When do you typically speak Arabic at work?
I usually speak Arabic when dealing with people from the Arabic-speaking community who struggle with English. It’s especially useful when they’re in distress or involved in incidents where clear communication is crucial, such as when they need urgent assistance, or they’re part of an investigation.
Tell us about a time where being able to speak Arabic was helpful.
One time, I helped an elderly woman who had dementia and was lost. She only spoke Arabic and was unable to communicate with anyone else. I was able to comfort her, find out her details and reunite her with family. Another time, I responded to a vehicle collision where the offenders were Arabic speakers. They didn’t realise I could understand them and were trying to hide the real cause of the accident. Because I spoke Arabic, I managed to uncover the truth.
How does speaking a second language assist with your role?
Being able to communicate in both English and Arabic helps me build trust with members of the community who might otherwise struggle to express themselves. It also makes my job more efficient, as I can get accurate information faster and de-escalate situations that could easily get out of hand because of misunderstandings.
What is your favourite part about being able to speak Arabic in your role?
The best part is being able to help people who are often overlooked because of the language barrier. It’s satisfying to know that, because of my language skills, I can make sure they’re heard and get the help they need.
Acting Senior Sergeant Yuki Onuma
Tell us a bit about your job.
I’ve been a police officer since 2009 and am currently working in Victoria Police’s Organisational Policy Unit three days per week and as the Joint Organised Crime Taskforce’s human trafficking liaison two days per week. I also assist with cases involving Japanese nationals as requested by other Victoria Police departments, as well as the consulate office, embassy or law enforcement agencies of Japan.
What languages do you know?
I speak English and Japanese.
When do you typically speak Japanese at work?
There are several scenarios across my roles that require the use of my Japanese language skills — including assisting with investigations, supporting Japanese victims, and engaging with the Japanese community in Melbourne, as well as assisting Victoria Police executives’ engagement with Japanese dignitaries.
Tell us about a time where being able to speak Japanese was helpful.
I have worked across a number of serious offences involving Japanese nationals where being able to speak Japanese was vital. Unfortunately, one of them was the Bourke Street tragedy in 2017, where I supported a victim’s family for a number of years. These serious incidents often involve a lengthy investigation and court process, as well as external stakeholder engagements with foreign delegates.
How does speaking a second language assist with your role as a police officer?
Having a language ability other than English is just like having an additional ‘tool’ in the kit bag. But communicating in another language in policing can be a lot more than simply switching between two languages — especially when speaking to people experiencing difficulties or trauma. It’s important that we consider cultural appropriateness, as well as the differences in judicial systems and laws that greatly affect a victim’s expectations from police.
What is your favourite part about speaking Japanese in your role?
When I get to experience the moment the tension in a person eases instantly after a single word of Japanese. Being able to offer the Japanese community additional support and understanding of culture and language is one of the best parts of my job.
Constable Vishal Ghumra
Tell us a bit about your job.
I’m a constable working general duties at Melbourne West Police Station and have been in the role for just over a year, but was a protective services officer (PSO) for four years before that.
What languages do you know?
I was born in India, so I can speak English, Hindi and Gujarati, and I’ve been speaking these languages pretty much all my life.
When do you typically speak Hindi or Gujarati at work?
I’ve used both Hindi and Gujarati in many scenarios at work, especially when I’m working in Melbourne West Police Station’s watch-house, as lots of people from the Indian subcontinent visit the station for different reasons. As soon as they read my name, they guess that I would speak a language other than English, and so they are comfortable speaking in their native language.
Tell us about a time where being able to speak Hindi or Gujarati was helpful.
There was a family violence incident where the affected family member spoke really limited English. When I told her that I can speak and understand Hindi, she was so relieved and was able to explain everything about the scenario to me in the language she felt most comfortable using.
Has being able to speak Hindi or Gujarati been useful on other occasions?
When I was working as a PSO, I helped other police units with translating, and was also able to use Hindi and Gujarati to help train, tram and bus passengers. People often get lost travelling in the city, especially if they are tourists or overseas students, so being able to speak a second language definitely helped in these situations.
What is your favourite part about being able to speak Hindi and Gujarati in your role?
I like to surprise people by speaking to them in Hindi or Gujarati, as they don’t expect a police officer to talk to them in their native language. It’s fun to see the shock on their face and to see them smiling afterwards. It’s also rewarding to be able to help with investigations, and impress the bosses.
PSO Acting Sergeant Stefano Cusumano
Tell us a bit about your job.
I’ve been a PSO since 2019 and currently work in the Epping area, patrolling the last eight railway stations on the Mernda line.
What languages do you know?
My first language is Italian, as I was born and raised in a little town on the outskirts of Milano, but my dad is from the south of Italy, so I can understand Sicilian dialect too, which is one of the most commonly-spoken dialects in the Epping area. I moved to Australia at the end of 2010, where I learnt English while studying for my diploma and working in hospitality.
When do you typically speak Italian at work?
In this area, there are a lot of Italian people, especially elderly people who migrated here a long time ago, but also younger people who recently moved to Australia and use public transport to go to work. So, it’s normal to patrol the railway station and meet people who speak Italian. When I do, I always greet them with a ‘buongiorno!’ or ‘ciao!’ and they're usually very surprised to meet a PSO from Italy.
Tell us about a time where being able to speak Italian was helpful.
One time, I remember hearing over the radio that there was an elderly female walking alone on High Street in Thomastown after midnight, looking lost and confused. The location was close to the railway station, so my colleague and I attended and found her in front of a pizza shop. She couldn’t speak English, but I recognised her accent, so I started asking questions in Italian and found out she lived nearby. After escorting her home, an ambulance attended to check on her and said that she had possibly been out all day without food or water. I felt proud of being able to help and reassure her using my native language.
How does speaking a second language assist with your role as a PSO?
In our role, we are constantly in contact with the community and, in Australia, being a kind of melting pot, we encounter people from diverse backgrounds very often — so it’s good to be able to communicate in another language. n
