Device helps Berrien County police break language barriers

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By WSBT 24/7 News

Story Created: Feb 19, 2009 at 11:31 AM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 20, 2009 at 7:30 PM EDT

Berrien County law enforcement agencies have a new tool to help in communicating with those who do not speak English.

“Speech Guard,” a hand-held language translation device, understands thousands of typical police commands spoken in English and can pronounce translations in Arabic, Russian, Spanish, Polish, Chinese (Mandarin), Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, and Farsi (Persian).

Berrien County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Juan Mata bought the unit with contributions from Benton Township Police Department, Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township Police Department, Lakeland Hospital and a grant through United Way of Southwest Michigan, according to a news release.

“Speech Guard” units will be located at the Benton Township Police Department, Berrien Springs–Oronoko Township Police Department and Lakeland Hospital Emergency Room.

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