SALEM - Patrolman Joe Sierra's beat is the downtown, but he often wanders all over the city. He's not abandoning his post, just performing his second and unofficial job: police translator.
"That happens a lot," said Sierra, a 23-year veteran who is of Puerto Rican descent and is fluent in Spanish. "Just the other day, I was called to the station on three different occasions" to serve as an interpreter.
That's not surprising in a city with more than 5,000 Spanish-speaking residents and only two Latino cops.
Police Chief Robert St. Pierre says he is troubled by the small and declining numbers of Latino officers - the city once had four - and has launched a drive aimed at boosting the total. Notices of recruitment information meetings have been posted at stores in The Point, a largely Spanish-speaking neighborhood, and announcements have been made on a Hispanic radio program and at the Spanish Mass at Immaculate Conception Church.
"We're doing this," the chief said, "because the Salem Police Department, as it stands now, does not really reflect the makeup of the community."
Salem is 13 percent Hispanic, according to MapInfo Corp., which provides population estimates based on the 2000 federal census. The police force is less than 3 percent.
The Police Department is hosting recruitment information meetings next Wednesday at police headquarters and the following Monday, March 19, at Salem State College. They are open to the public and all interested candidates.
Recruiting more Latino officers could be a challenge, a local official said, especially with immigrants from countries where government corruption and abuse are common and where police are not held in high regard.
"A lot of folks coming from the Dominican Republic have had a bad experience" with police, said Lucy Corchado, the councilor for Ward I, which includes The Point. "I don't think when they come here they're thinking, 'This is the career I want.'"
Corchado, however, said she is encouraged by the recruitment campaign and is helping out. She volunteered to make announcements on a Spanish radio program at Salem State College.
St. Pierre insists this drive is about more than percentages.
"Language and culture can put up barriers," he said, "so it's important we have police officers who can speak the language and relate to the culture. ... We don't have an ulterior motive. We just want to make a better and more inclusive Police Department."
"That happens a lot," said Sierra, a 23-year veteran who is of Puerto Rican descent and is fluent in Spanish. "Just the other day, I was called to the station on three different occasions" to serve as an interpreter.
That's not surprising in a city with more than 5,000 Spanish-speaking residents and only two Latino cops.
Police Chief Robert St. Pierre says he is troubled by the small and declining numbers of Latino officers - the city once had four - and has launched a drive aimed at boosting the total. Notices of recruitment information meetings have been posted at stores in The Point, a largely Spanish-speaking neighborhood, and announcements have been made on a Hispanic radio program and at the Spanish Mass at Immaculate Conception Church.
"We're doing this," the chief said, "because the Salem Police Department, as it stands now, does not really reflect the makeup of the community."
Salem is 13 percent Hispanic, according to MapInfo Corp., which provides population estimates based on the 2000 federal census. The police force is less than 3 percent.
The Police Department is hosting recruitment information meetings next Wednesday at police headquarters and the following Monday, March 19, at Salem State College. They are open to the public and all interested candidates.
Recruiting more Latino officers could be a challenge, a local official said, especially with immigrants from countries where government corruption and abuse are common and where police are not held in high regard.
"A lot of folks coming from the Dominican Republic have had a bad experience" with police, said Lucy Corchado, the councilor for Ward I, which includes The Point. "I don't think when they come here they're thinking, 'This is the career I want.'"
Corchado, however, said she is encouraged by the recruitment campaign and is helping out. She volunteered to make announcements on a Spanish radio program at Salem State College.
St. Pierre insists this drive is about more than percentages.
"Language and culture can put up barriers," he said, "so it's important we have police officers who can speak the language and relate to the culture. ... We don't have an ulterior motive. We just want to make a better and more inclusive Police Department."
St. Pierre said when he took over as chief 23 years ago, the department was under a consent decree because of the low number of minority officers. The numbers rose over the next few years, he said, but have dropped in recent years. The department has one black officer.
The 83-member department has three white officers who are bilingual and who also play a vital role, officials said. But there are times when the presence of a Latino officer can make a difference. It can help defuse a tense situation involving a crowd of young people, they said, and it can help elderly residents, overwhelmed by a new culture.
"It's kind of a comfort zone for older people," Sierra said.
The police exam, which is offered every two years, is being given on Saturday, May 19. Anyone interested must register by April 2.
Once the Civil Service tests are scored, the city can request a list of bilingual candidates - a list on which Salem residents are given preference.
"We're hoping that if enough of the Latino community takes this exam they'll naturally be at the top of the list," said Lt. Mary Butler, who is assisting on the recruitment drive.
Although the city is still emerging from financial troubles and a year of budget cuts, and the Police Department has shrunk in recent years, the Civil Service list will be in effect for three years. "During that time, I anticipate making some appointments," the chief said.
Salem profile
Population: 41,274
White: 71 percent
Hispanic: 13 percent
Black: 4 percent
Asian/Hawaiian: 2 percent
Other: 10 percent
Source: MapInfo. Corp., 2005 estimates based on 2000 federal census
Police recruitment meetings
Wednesday, March 14: Police headquarters, 95 Margin St., 6 p.m.
Monday, March 19: Salem State College, Harrington Building, 11 a.m.
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