Speaking your language

I find it rather amazing that only now are the local authorities trying to educate local police officers so that they are more “tourist friendly.” The Balearic government is spending three million  euros on a plan which will see officers getting more training and also improving their language skills. A test scheme was undertaken in Andraitx last Summer which proved successful and now the local government wants to introduce the plan across the islands. It is a question of better late than never, after all tourists have only been coming to the Balearics for the last 40 years! One of the reasons why the Balearics has been so successful in tourism  is because it is considered a safe holiday destination. This is certainly the case but during the Summer months most of the workload of local police forces involve tourists, who have either been victims of crime or are the actual perpetrators.  Police officers working in Arenal and Paguera should have a basic knowledge of German and those in Palmanova, Magalluf, Alcudia and Pollensa should speak English. Recently, the Spanish government decided to scrap the free translators which at one stage were on duty at local police stations. Now, victims of crime, who don´t speak Spanish, have to pay for an official to translate their statement. This is an outrageous state of affairs. The additional training for officers is a welcome idea but really, translators should be on hand at local police stations for free as well.