Interactive
Survival Spanish - High Risk Vehicle Stops
(Available in DVD or VHS)
This realistic interactive 50 minute training video is produced by State Police Senior Trooper Bob Dent, a past staff instructor for the prestigious American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers and author of The Complete Spanish Field Reference Manual for Public Safety Professionals, and The Multi-Lingual Field Reference Manual for Public Safety Professionals. He has appeared on and provided "Survival Spanish" training to The Law Enforcement Television Network, Fire & Emergency Television Network, Corrections USA Television Network, and Professional Security Television Network.
He travels extensively across the U.S. training members of city, county, state and federal public safety agencies. His video is designed for all types of law enforcement personnel who need to learn and speak basic succinct Spanish words/phrases to control life threatening encounters during high risk vehicle stops. The phrases are also adaptable for use in many high risk encounters such as drug raids, S.W.A.T. operations, domestic and civil disturbances. Subtitled in English and Spanish with segments for practical exercises to accelerate learning and retention. The video also contains "Fatal & Red Flag" words/phrases that indicate danger. The "Survival Spanish" in this video is useful in all aspects of the public safety arena to promote officer safety, enhance professional image and reduce vicarious liability. (The producer is a 25-year police veteran. The technical advisor is an internationally known former United Nations Interpreter and language instructor).
This video was viewed by the U.S. Department of Justice National Criminal Justice Reference Service. It is an objective review of the film and is not an official endorsement by that agency. The review is as follows:
"This video instructs law enforcement officers in the use of Spanish phrases and words appropriate for a high risk vehicle stop. The video provides interactive instruction as users are given learning tasks in the course of the video presentation. The video opens with a simulated vehicle stop in which two Hispanic males suspected of having stolen the car are stopped. The officer fails to control the situation with Spanish commands and is subsequently killed by one of the suspects. The instructor notes the importance of gaining command of a situation through commanding and clear communication. Given the growing number of Hispanics in the population who cannot understand English, the instructor advises that officer safety requires learning critical command phrases and words in Spanish. The instructor first outlines the learning technique that is best for learning speech and behavior under high stress. It involves mental rehearsal, visualization, and the repetition of the behaviors appropriate for high-risk situations. The core of the instruction is a replaying of the simulated vehicle stop with the proper use of Spanish-language commands appropriate for having the suspects exit the vehicle and lie prostate on the ground away from their vehicle and a safe distance from the officer. The instruction also shows the English subtitle of each command followed by a 3-second pause during users are to speak the Spanish translation. The Spanish word is then shown as both written and pronounced phonetically. The next segment of the tape provides instruction on the non-verbal, body language that provides cues that a suspect is posing a danger, as well as verbal cues in Spanish that indicate a Spanish-speaking suspect is about to use a knife or gun." (A pre and post test accompanies the video for instructors or students).
Some Quotes
"After initial instruction, you're stress tested by having to respond on your own to what you see under constant time pressure. Ground breaking method... the Cadillac of all Spanish learning for cops."
Calibre Press - National Street Survival Seminars
"Accurate communication in a foreign language under dangerous situations is of paramount importance in officer survival. I have no doubt that this training video will save lives and avoid tragic misunderstandings. It is a must for the "Troops" in the field."
Ed Nowicki
Former Executive Director
American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers
(Author and judicially recognized expert on law enforcement training and education)
"Practicing and utilizing Bob Dent’s language skills can allow you to overcome and win a deadly confrontation."
Dave Smith
Director of Training
Law Enforcement Television Network
"If Senior Trooper Dent’s manual and video would have been available at the time, I’m confident Constable Darrell Lunsford would have survived his fatal attack."
Sheriff Joe Evans
Nacogdoches County, Texas