Cops to learn English spoken with accents

In a bid to establish better communication with foreign nationals, the Delhi police will depute an official who understands English spoken in foreign accents while dealing with foreign nationals on its helpline numbers.

A senior police officer said that the force will train some police personnel in English spoken in foreign accents so they can properly assist foreigners in distress. The department is planning to rope in some language experts who can train the police staff in understanding English spoken in different accents.

“Citizens of 42 African countries live in Delhi. During a recent meeting with Africans, we asked them to appoint two local coordinators and one country coordinator from each of the 42 African countries. These coordinators will represent their country and issues of their citizens in the meetings with the city police or locals,” said R.P. Upadhyay, joint CP (southeastern range).

To address issues or grievances of Africans, the police said it recently launched a 10-digit helpline number (8750871111) exclusively foreign nationals living in the city to file complaints. Some of the trained police personnel will also be deployed in the central police control room (100). Every day they receive around five to seven calls from foreign nationals pertaining to various queries or issues.

“Since our 100 number is the first responder to any grievance or crime, at least one police officer trained in English with foreign accents will remain available 24x7 at the central control room for addressing grievances of these foreigners,” said a senior police officer.

Mr Upadhyay, who is the nodal officer for attending issues concerning the African community, said the decision to train police control room staff in English with foreign accents was taken after a delegation of Africans met the top police brass on Tuesday and raised this issue.