MNPD's El Protector Program to be used as Model for Other Cities
The New York City based Vera Institute of Justice today named the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department’s El Protector Program as among the nation’s best law enforcement efforts at communicating with limited English proficient communities.
The MNPD is one of six American law enforcement agencies profiled by Vera in a special report entitled, “Bridging the Language Divide: Promising Practices for Law Enforcement,” which is now posted online at www.vera.org. The report was created in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.
“After visiting with your agency and meeting with you and your staff, it was clear that your agency is on the forefront of effectively communicating with limited English proficient communities,” the Vera Institute’s Susan Shah and Rodolfo Estrada wrote in a letter to Chief Ronal Serpas. “We are happy to announce that your agency was selected through our Translating Justice National Best Practices Project, which is the first of its kind to look at best practices for serving limited English proficient communities in policing contexts.”
The MNPD’s El Protector Program, which was begun in 2004, is headed day-to- day by two officers who speak fluent Spanish. They are assigned to the South and Hermitage Precincts, which encompass areas of Nashville with the highest Latino population. Those officers liaison with leaders of Spanish speaking communities and Latino businesses, as well as make regular appearances on Spanish radio to provide key law enforcement information and offer crime prevention tips.
“Our police department views the El Protector Program as a critical service that reaches out to a segment of our community who may not be familiar with American, and particularly Nashville, law enforcement practices,” Chief Ronal Serpas said. “I am grateful that the Vera Institute of Justice believes that our program is one that can be considered for replication by other law enforcement agencies in the United States.”
The Vera Institute of Justice is an independent nonprofit organization that combines expertise in research, demonstration projects, and technical assistance to help leaders in government and civil society improve the systems people rely on for justice and safety.