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The Detroit Police Department (DPD) announced the launch of a Spanish-language Facebook page and Twitter account as part of an effort to improve communications with the Spanish-speaking community.

Second Deputy Chief for Media Relations Rudy Harper said a newscast called DPD TV and on-camera English and Spanish briefings are also planned. “We have an open-door policy with DPD,” he said. “We want to meet our residents, and we can only be successful with the help of our community.”

Harper said the goal of the Spanish-language social media pages, which have been live since late December, is to ensure that Detroit’s Spanish-speaking community feels included. Posts consist of the latest crime updates, safety alerts, and precinct news.

“My primary goal is that the Detroit Police Department be a leader for diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels,” said Detroit Chief of Police James White. “It’s more important than ever and we will embrace it.”

Detroit 4th Precinct Commander John Serda said he is grateful that the department is taking multiple approaches to connect with residents—young people and Spanish speakers on social media alike.

“I think for the Hispanic community, it’s especially important because when you have citizens who are first-generation—the ones who do have language barriers—they come from a place where law enforcement is feared,” Serda said. “It takes a lot for them to reach out to us, but we have to reach out to them to let them know that we’re not immigration, we’re not Border Patrol. We’re local law enforcement, but we’re so much more—we’re a resource.”

from Detroit Free Press (MI) (01/04/22)
Author: Moran, Darcie

 

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