Welcome to the Law Enforcement section of Spanish 4 Emergencies Training Center. This section is designed to help police, security, jail personnel, and all other law enforcement officers in dealing with their daily duties with Spanish speaking persons. This section can also be helpful to all other emergency personnel, since many times our duties cross over with each other. Law enforcement personnel should also go through the other sections of this site for the same reason.

This General Information section will provide you with a lot of common information that you will need to use on a daily basis. There will be many phrases and questions that will be needed for almost every incident. The sections after this will be more incident specific.

General Terms

la dirección (LAH dee-rehk-seeOHN) - the address
el número (EHL NOO-mehr-oh) - the number
el departamento (EHL deh-pahr-tah-MEHN-toh) - the department
la tarea (LAH tah-REHah) - the assignment
mi obligación (MEE ohb-lee-gah-seeOHN) - my duty
mi trabajo (MEE trah-BAH-hoh) - my job
el formulario (EHL fohr-moo-LAH-reeoh) - the form
las instrucciones (LAHS een-strook-seeOH-nehs) - the instructions
el documento (EHL dohk-oo-MEHN-toh) - the document
la copia (LAH KOH-peeah) - the copy
el distrito (EHL dee-STREE-toh) - the precinct
el recorrido (EHL reh-koh-RREE-doh) - the route
la entrevista (LAH ehn-treh-VEES-tah) - the interview
la investigación (LAH een-vehs-tee-gah-seeOHN) - the investigation
el procedimiento (EHL proh-seh-dee-meeEHN-toh) - the procedure
el permiso (EHL pehr-MEE-soh) - the permit
la petición (LAH peh-tee-seeOHN) - the request
el horario (EHL oh-RAH-reeoh) - the schedule
el entrenamiento (EHL ehn-treh-nah-meeEHN-toh) - the training
la custodia del niño (LAH koo-STOH-deeah DEHL NEE-nyoh) - child custody
la ayuda para el niño (LAH ah-YOO-dah EHL NEE-nyoh) - child support
sistema de alarmas (sees-TEH-mah DEH ah-LAHR-mahs) - alarm system
vigilancia de la comunidad (vee-hee-LAHN-seeah DEH LAH koh-moon-nee-DAHD) - community watch
autodefensa (ow-toh-de-FEHN-sah) - self-defense
seguridad personal (seh-goo-ree-DAHD pehr-soh-NAHL) - personal security
seguridad del carro (seh-goo-ree-DAHD DEHL KAH-rroh) - vehicle security
precaución (preh-kow-seeOHN) - precaution
protección (proh-tehk-seeOHN) - protection

No lo conozco (NOH LOH koh-NOHS-koh) - I don't know him
No sé (NOH SEH) - I don't know
No lo sabía (NOH LOH sah-BEEah) - I didn't know it
No lo conocía a él (NOH LOH koh-noh-SEEah AH EHL) - I didn't know him

General Questions

¿Sabe cómo hacerlo? (SAH-beh KOH-moh ah-SEHR-loh) - Do you know how to do it?
¿Sabe cómo se deletrea? (SAH-beh KOH-moh SEH deh-leh-TREHah) - Do you know how to spell it?
¿Sabe hablar inglés? (SAH-beh AH-blahr een-GLEHS) - Do you know how to speak English?
¿Sabe qué hacer? (SAH-beh KEH AH-sehr) - Do you know what to do?
¿Sabe quién es? (SAH-beh kee-EHN EHS) - Do you know who it is?
¿Sabe dónde está? (SAH-beh DOHN-deh eh-STAH) - Do you know where it is?
¿Sabe cuál es? (SAH-beh KWAHL EHS) - Do you know which one it is?
¿Sabe cuándo es? (SAH-beh KWAHN-doh EHS) - Do you know when it is?
¿Sabe cuánto es? (SAH-beh KWAHN-toh EHS) - Do you know how much it is?
¿Sabe de quién es? (SAH-beh kee-EHN EHS) - Do you know whose it is?
¿Sabe por qué? (SAH-beh POHR KEH) - Do you know why?
¿Es correcto esto? (EHS koh-RREHK-toh EH-stoh) - Is this correct?
¿Está seguro? (eh-STAH seh-GOO-roh) - Are you sure?
¿Ha pasado antes esto? (AH- pah-SAH-doh AHN-tehs EHS-toh) - Has this happened before?
¿Ha llamado antes? (AH yah-MAH-doh AHN-tehs) - Have you called before?
¿Están casados? (eh-STAHN kah-SAH-dohs) - Are you married?
¿Están viviendo juntos? (eh-STAHN vee-veeEHN-doh HOON-tohs) - Are you living together?
¿Están divorciados? (eh-STAHN di-vohr-seeAH-dohs) - Are you divorced?
¿Están solos? (eh-STAHN SOH-lohs) - Are you alone?
¿Puede ir a otra casa? (PWEH-deh EER AH OH-trah KAH-sah) - Can you go to another house?
¿Puede esperar hasta mañana? (PWEH-deh ehs-peh-RAHR AH-stah mah-NYAH-nah) - Can you wait until tomorrow?
¿Puede separarse por un rato? (PWEH-deh seh-pah-RAHR-seh PORH OON RAH-toh) - Can you separate for a while?

Descriptions

Es urgente (EHS oor-HEHN-teh) - It's urgent
Es correcto (EHS koh-RREHK-toh) - It's accurate
Es papeleo (EHS pah-peh-LEH-oh) - It's paperwork
Es completo (EHS kohm-PLEH-toh) - It's complete
Es necesario (EHS neh-seh-SAH-reeoh) - It's necessary
Es legal (EHS LEH-gahl) - It's legal
Es evidencia (EHS eh-vee-DEHN-seeah) - It's evidence
Es importante (EHS eem-pohr-TAHN-teh) - It's important
Es ruidoso (EHS roo-ee-DOH-soh) - It's loud
Es quieto (EHS keeEH-toh) - It's quiet
Está roto (eh-STAH ROH-toh) - It's broken
Es mejor (EHS MEH-hohr) - It's better
Es peor (EHS peh-OHR) - It's worse
Está sucio (eh-STAH SOO-see-oh) - It's dirty
Está viejo (eh-STAH veeEH-hoh) - It's old
Está pegado (eh-STAH peh-GAH-doh) - It's stuck
Está dañado (eh-STAH dah-NYAH-doh) - It's damaged
Está cerrado con llave (eh-STAH seh-RRAH-doh KOHN YAH-veh) - It's locked
Es la ley (EHS LAH LEHee) - It's the law
Es contra la ley (EHS KOHN-trah LAH LEHee) - It's against the law
Es falso (EHS FAHL-soh) - It's fake
Es ilegal (EHS ee-lee-GAHL) - It's illegal
Es incorrecto (EHS een-koh-RREHK-toh) - It's incorrect
Es suspendido (EHS soos-peh-DEE-doh) - It's suspended
Es válido (EHS VAH-lee-doh) - It's valid
barato (bah-RAH-toh) - cheap
cerrado (seh-RRAH-doh) - closed
frío (FREE-oh) - cold
peligroso (peh-lee-GROH-soh) - dangerous
romo (ROH-moh) - dull
fácil (FAH-seel) - easy
caro (KAH-roh) - empty
lleno (YEH-noh) - full
duro (DOO-roh) - hard
pesado (peh-SAH-doh) - heavy
caliente (kah-leeEHN-teh) - hot
ligero (lee-GEH-roh) - light
flojo (FLOH-hoh) - loose
abierto (ah-beeEHR-toh) - open
seguro (seh-GOO-roh) - safe
afilado (ah-fee-LAH-doh) - sharp
suave (SWAH-veh) - soft
mojado (moh-HAH-doh) - wet

Penalties

Voy a arrestarlo (VOHY AH ah-rreh-STAHR-loh) - I'm going to arrest you
Voy a registrarlo (VOHY AH reh-hee-STRAHR-loh) - I'm going to frisk you
Voy a esposarlo (VOHY AH eh-spoh-SAHR-loh) - I'm going to handcuff you

crimen (KREE-mehn) - crime
delito mayor (deh-LEE-toh MAH-yohr) - felony
delito menor (deh-LEE-toh MAH-yohr) - misdemeanor
violación (vee-oh-lah-seeOHN) - violation
aviso (ah-VEE-soh) - warning
infracción (een-frahk-seeOHN) - infraction
restricción (reh-streek-seeOHN) - restriction
noticia (noh-TEE-see-ah) - notice
regla (REH-glah) - regulation
boleta (boh-LEH-tah) - ticket
requisito (reh-kee-SEE-toh) - requirement
multa (MOOL-tah) - fine
peligro (peh-LEE-groh) - hazard
deportación (deh-pohr-tah-seeOHN) - deportation

El está acusado (EHL eh-STAH ah-koo-SAH-doh) - He is accused
El está arrestado (EHL eh-STAH ah-rreh-STAH-doh) - He is arrested
El está denunciado (EHL eh-STAH deh-noon-seeAH-doh) - He is charged
El está detenido (EHL eh-STAH deh-teh-NEE-doh) - He is detained
El está encarcelado (EHL eh-STAH ehn-kahr-seh-LAH-doh) - He is incarcerated

Containers

bolsa (BOHL-sah) - bag
botella (boh-TEH-yah) - bottle
caja (KAH-hah) - box
lata (LAH-tah) - can
recipiente (reh-see-peeEHN-teh) - container
taza (TAH-sah) - cup
sobre (SOH-breh) - envelope
paquete (pah-KEH-teh) - package
saco (SAH-koh) - sack

Fue una travesura (FWEH OO-nah trah-veh-SOO-rah) - It was a prank
Fue una mentira (FWEH OO-nah mehn-TEE-rah) - It was a lie
Fue un chiste (FWEH OON CHEE-steh) - It was a joke
Fue un engaño (FWEH OON ehn-GAH-nyoh) - It was a hoax
Fue una falsa alarma (FWEH OO-nah FAHL-sah ah-LAHR-mah) - It was a false alarm

Weapons

armas (AHR-mahs) - weapons
palo de béisbol (PAH-loh DEH BEHees-bohl) - baseball bat
cinturón (seen-too-ROHN) - belt
navaja (nah-VAH-hah) - blade
bomba (BOHM-bah) - bomb
botella (boh-TEH-yah) - bottle
manoplas (mah-NOH-plahs) - brass knuckles
ladrillo (lah-DREE-yoh) - brick
cadena (kah-DEH-nah) - chain
daga (DAH-gah) - dagger
dinamita (dee-nah-MEE-tah) - dynamite
explosivo (ehks-ploh-SEE-voh) - explosive
arma de fuego (AHR-mah DEH FWEH-goh) - firearm
granada (grah-NAH-dah) - grenade
martillo (mahr-TEE-yoh) - hammer
hacha (AH-chah) - hatchet
cuchillo (koo-CHEE-yoh) - knife
pico (PEE-koh) - pick
tubo (TOO-boh) - pipe
pistola (pee-STOH-lah) - pistol
revólver (reh-VOHL-vehr) - revolver
rifle (REE-fleh) - rifle
piedra (peeEH-dreh) - rock
soga (SOH-gah) - rope
tijeras (tee-HEHR-ahs) - scissors
atornillador (ah-tohr-nee-YAH-dohr) - screwdriver
escopeta (ehs-koh-PEH-tah) - shotgun
pala (PAH-lah) - shovel
palo (PAH-loh) - stick
espada (eh-SPAH-dah) - sword
herramienta (eh-rrah-meeEHN-tah) - tool
llave inglesa (YAH-veh een-GLEH-sah) - wrench

Crimes

acosamiento (ah-koh-sah-meeEHN-toh) - harassment
incesto (een-SEHS-toh) - incest
abuso sexual (ah-BOO-soh sehk-SOO-ahl) - molestation
prostitución (prohs-tee-too-seeOHN) - prostitution
violación (vee-oh-lah-seeOHN) - rape
incitación (een-see-tah-seeOHN) - solicitation
vulgaridad (vool-gah-ree-DAHD) - vulgarity
abuso de menores (ah-BOO-soh DEH meh-NOH-rehs) - child abuse
descuido (deh-SKWEE-doh) - negligence
violencia doméstica (vee-oh-LEHN-see-ah doh-MEHS-tee-kah) - domestic violence
delicuencia juvenil (deh-lee-KWEHN-see-ah hoo-veh-NEEL) - juvenile delinquency
niño fugitivo (NEE-nyoh foo-gee-TEE-voh) - run-away child
asalto sexual (ah-SAHL-toh sehk-soo-AHL) - sexual assault
acosamiento sexual (ah-koh-sah-meeEHN-toh sehk-soo-AHL) - sexual harassment
incendio premeditado (een-SEHN-deeoh preh-meh-dee-TAH-doh) - arson
asesinato (ah-sehs-see-NAH-toh) - assassination
desobediencia civil (deh-soh-beh-deeEHN-see-ah) -civil disorder
falsificación (fahl-see-fee-kah-seeOHN) - counterfeiting
fraude (FROW-deh) - fraud
secuestro (seh-KWEHS-troh) - kidnapping
intrusión (een-troo-seeOHN) - trespassing
vandalismo (vahn-dah-LEES-moh) - vandalism
fugitivo (foo-gee-TEE-voh) - fugitive
rehén (reh-EHN) - hostage
inmigración ilegal (een-mee-grah-seeOHN ee-leh-GAHL) - illegal immigration
saqueo (sah-KEHoh) - looting
rescate (reh-SKAH-teh) - ransom
tumulto (too-MOOL-toh) - riot
contrabando (kohn-trah-BAHN-doh) - smuggling
terrorismo (teh-rroh-REES-moh) - terrorism

Equipment

emblema (ehm-BLEH-mah) - badge
bala (BAH-lah) - bullet
chaleco a prueba de bala (chah-LEH-koh AH prooEH-bah DEH BAH-lah) - bullet-proof vest
computadora (kohm-poo-tah-DOHR-ah) - computer
correa de equipaje (koh-RREH-ah DEH eh-kee-PAH-heh) - duty belt
linterna (leen-TEHR-nah) - flashlight
esposas (eh-SPOH-sahs) - handcuffs
funda de revólver (FOON-dah DEH reh-VOHL-vehr) - holster
radio (RAH-dee-oh) - radio
revólver (reh-VOHL-vehr) - revolver
sirena (see-REH-nah) - siren
tazer (TAH-sehr) - tazer
uniforme (oo-nee-FOHR-meh) - uniform

Legal Terms

cómplice (KOHM-plee-seh) - accessory
declaración jurada (deh-klah-rah-seeOHN hoo-RAH-dah) - affidavit
coartada (koh-ahr-TAH-dah) - alibi
acusación (ah-koo-sah-seeOHN) - allegation
apelar (ah-peh-LAHR) - appeal
fianza (feeAHN-sah) - bail
alguacil (ahl-gooAH-seel) - bailiff
cargo (KAHR-goh) - charge
confesión (kohn-feh-seeOHN) - confession
permiso (pehr-MEE-soh) - consent
tribunal (tree-boo-NAHL) - court
custodia (koo-STOH-deeah) - custody
acusado (ah-koo-SAH-doh) - defendant
defensa (deh-FEHN-sah) - defense
disputa (dees-POO-tah) - dispute
fiscal del distrito (FEES-kahl DEHL dees-TREE-toh) - District Attorney
evidencia (eh-vee-DEHN-seeah) - evidence
gobierno (goh-beeEHR-noh) - government
gran jurado (GRAHN hoo-RAH-doh) - grand jury
culpable (kool-PAH-bleh) - guilty
preso (PREH-soh) - inmate
inocencia (een-oh-SEHN-seeah) - innocence
inocente (een-oh-SEHN-teh) - innocent
cárcel (KAHR-sehl) - jail
juez (hoo-EHS) - judge
jurisdicción (hoo-rees-deek-seeOHN) - jurisdiction
jurado (hoo-RAH-doh) - jury
justicia (hoo-STEE-seeah) - justice
menores (meh-NOH-rehs) - juveniles
pleito (PLEH-ee-toh) - lawsuit
abogado (ah-boh-GAH-doh) - lawyer
motivo (moh-TEE-voh) - motive
ofensa (oh-FEHN-sah) - offense
libertad provisional (lee-behr-TAHD proh-vee-see-oh-NAHL) - parole
alegato (ah-leh-GAH-toh) - plea
condena anterior (kohn-DEH-nah ahn-tehr-reeOHR) - prior conviction
prisión (pree-seeOHN) - prison
libertad vigilada (lee-behr-TAHD vee-hee-LAH-dah) - probation
prueba (prooEH-bah) - proof
sentencia (sehn-TEHN-seeah) - sentence
apercibimiento (ah-pehr-see-bee-meeEHN-toh) - subpoena
término (TEHR-mee-noh) - term
testimonio (tehs-tee-MOH-nee-oh) - testimony
juicio (HOO-ee-see-oh) - trial
veredicto (veh-reh-DEEK-toh) - verdict
testigo (tehs-TEE-goh) - witness

Emotions

amargado (ah-mahr-GAH-doh) - bitter
confundido (kohn-foon-DEE-doh) - confused
deprimido (deh-pree-MEE-doh) - depressed
frustrado (froo-STRAH-doh) - frustrated
culpable (kool-PAH-bleh) - guilty
odio (OH-deeoh) - hate
desamparado (deh-sahm-pah-RAH-doh) - helpless
hostil (oh-STEEL) - hostile
locura (loh-KOO-rah) - insanity
inseguro (een-seh-GOO-roh) - insecure
celos (SEH-lohs) - jealousy
amor (ah-MOHR) - love
pasión (pah-seeOHN) - passion
racismo (rah-SEES-moh) - racism
venganza (vehn-GAHN-sah) - revenge
suicida (soo-ee-SEE-dah) - suicidal
amenazado (ah-mehn-ah-SAH-doh) - threatened

Animals

oso (OH-soh) - bear
castor (KAH-stohr) - beaver
gato (GAH-toh) - cat
pollo (POH-yoh) - chicken
vaca (VAH-kah) - cow
coyote (koh-YOH-teh) - coyote
venado (veh-NAH-doh) - deer
perro (PEH-rroh) - dog
pez (PEHS) - fish
zorro (ZOH-rroh) - fox
sapo (SAH-poh) - frog
caballo (kah-BAH-yoh) - horse
ratón (rah-TOHN) - mouse
cerdo (SEHR-doh) - pig
conejo (koh-NEH-hoh) - rabbit
mapache (mah-PAH-cheh) - raccoon
rata (RAH-tah) - rat
zorrillo (zoh-RREE-yoh) - skunk
culebra (koo-LEH-brah) - snake
ardilla (ahr-DEE-yah) - squirrel
tortuga (tohr-TOO-gah) - turtle

Appliances/Valuables

Appliances and other various valuables are often involved in thefts and mischiefs.

antiguedades (ahn-tee-gweh-DAH-dehs) - antiques
pulsera (pool-SEH-rah) - bracelet
broche (BROH-cheh) - brooch
cámara (KAH-mah-rah) - camera
reloj (reh-LOH) - clock
monedas (moh-NEH-dahs) - coins
computadora (kohm-poo-tah-DOH-rah) - computer
tarjeta de crédito (tahr-HEH-tah DEH CREH-dee-toh) - credit card
diamante (dee-ah-MAHN-teh) - diamond
muñecas (moo-NYEH-kahs) - dolls
aretes (ah-REH-tehs) - earrings
ventilador (vehn-tee-lah-DOHR) - fan
calentador (kah-lehn-tah-DOHR) - heater
joya (HOH-yah) - jewelry
lámpara (LAHM-pah-rah) - lamp
microondas (mee-kroh-OON-dahs) - microwave
dinero (dee-NEH-roh) - money
collar (koh-YAHR) - necklace
perla (PEHR-lah) - pearl
pendiente (pehn-deeEHN-teh) - pendent
radio (RAH-dee-oh) - radio
tocadiscos (toh-kah-DEES-kohs) - record player
rubí (roo-BEE) - ruby
safiro (sah-FEE-roh) - sapphire
altoparlante (ahl-toh-pahr-LAHN-teh) - speaker
estampillas (eh-stahm-PEE-yahs) - stamps
estéreo (eh-STEH-reh-oh) - stereo
televisor (teh-leh-vee-SOHR) - television
herramienta (eh-rrah-meeEHN-tah) - tool
videocasetera (vee-deh-oh-kah-seh-TEH-rah) VCR
reloj de pulsera (reh-LOH DEH pool-SEH-rah) - wrist watch