Talking with the Police

An English Language and Civics Workbook

for English Language Learners

Student Workbook
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Acknowledgements
Table of Contents
Introduction
Lesson 1: Meet the Police
Lesson 2: Traffic Stops
Lesson 3: A Traffic Accident
Lesson 4: Calling 911
Lesson 5: Reporting a Crime
Lesson 6: Preventing Crimes
Lesson 7: Domestic Violence
Lesson 8: Accused of a Crime
Lesson 9: Filing a Complaint
Appendix: Critical Information Translations
Spanish
Vietnamese
Chinese
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Talking with the Police
An English Language and Civics Workbook
for English Language Learners

Written by
Cathay O. Reta and Martha A. Lane
© 2002

The development of this product was supported by federal funds for adult
education and literacy services under the Workforce Investment Act, Title
II, Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, through a grant from the from
the California Department of Education, Adult Education Office. However,
the content does not necessarily reflect the position of the California
Department of Education or the United States Department of Education.

No federal funds were used for the translated portions in the Appendix. These
translations were provided by the generosity of the Monterey Park community.

It was developed by the

Bruggemeyer Memorial Library
LAMP (Literacy for All of Monterey Park) Program
318 South Ramona Avenue
Monterey Park, California 91754
 Acknowledgements
The development of Talking with the Police was a collaboration of a number of individuals. We give
special thanks to:

Daniel Cross, Chief of Police, Monterey Park Police Department, and his excellent staff who were key in
collecting, teaching and editing this workbook: Sergeant Jim Smith, Community Relations Bureau,
Officer Brent Archibald and Detective Jason Chao

Megan Hunter, ESL teacher, and the adults

who participated in her class to develop this
workbook: Zhi Chen, Jackson Guo,
Henry Law, Jade Lee, Milton Lee, Henry
Leung, Yuling Li, Edmund Liang, Piju
(Betty) Liu, Je Te Ping, David Ran,
Veera Vassantachart, Dora Wang, Phillip
Wang, James Wong, Jun (Jeffrey) Ye,
Min Yen, Hao Zeng, Gu Ping Zhi, and
Miao C. Zhu. Their questions, comments,
and enthusiasm gave form and direction for
the lessons in this workbook

Joyce Moore, Principal, Mark Keppel

Adult School, and the Alhambra Adult
Education teachers who field tested the materials

Nadia Panian for the book cover design

Pat Reed, CASAS English Literacy & Civics Program Specialist and Wolfgang von Sydow, California
Department of Education Program Consultant

Translators for the critical information: Milton Nguyen, Vietnamese; Isabella Goeders and Christina
Yueh, Chinese; and Elizabeth Romero, Spanish

“Talking with the Police” was developed with a federal English Language and Civics Education grant,
by the Bruggemeyer Memorial Library LAMP (Literacy for All of Monterey Park) Program. It was
supported and encouraged by the library’s Board of Trustees: Joseph Leon, President, Joseph Rubin,
Secretary, and Trustees Peter Chan, Michael Eng, and Yukio Kawaratani, as well as by the City Librarian
Linda Wilson.

The clipart is from Art Explosion 600,000

copyright 1997-98 by Nova Development Corporation,
23801 Calabasas Road, Suite 2005
Calabasas, CA 91302-1547
USA

2
 Table of Contents

Chapter Page Number

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Lesson 1: Meet the Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Lesson 2: Traffic Stops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Lesson 3: A Traffic Accident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Lesson 4: Calling 911 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Lesson 5: Reporting a Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Lesson 6: Preventing Crimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Lesson 7: Domestic Violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Lesson 8: Accused of a Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Lesson 9: Filing a Complaint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Appendix: Critical Information Translations

Spanish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Vietnamese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Chinese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

3
 Introduction
You are driving down the road and a police car pulls up
behind you. You feel nervous. Your hands begin to sweat.
You look in your rearview mirror. He’s still there. You
look again. Just as you had feared, the red lights are on.
He wants you to pull over.

This is a scene familiar to most drivers. Almost everyone gets stopped at one time or another. It
can be intimidating and can cause anxiety, even experienced drivers. Yet, imagine the impact of
this scene on someone who does not speak English very well. The anxiety is greatly increased.

Project Development
The idea for this workbook originated from a request of English-as-a-Second language learners
at the Bruggemeyer Memorial Library in Monterey Park, California. They wanted to practice
how to talk to the police and to learn what they should do when pulled over in a traffic stop.
They shared that they felt intimidated, mostly because of their encounters with the police in their
homelands where they were not protected from police abuse and corruption.

At the same time, the Monterey Park Police Department had embarked on a campaign to reach
out to residents who were limited in language and cultural understanding of the law enforcement
system of the United States. The police department had observed incidents in which limited
English speakers had mistakenly made 911 calls and then did not understand why the police
wanted to search their homes in response to the call. There had been incidents in which they had
been victimized by individuals posing as police officers to gain entry into their home, only to rob
it. They did not know how to identify who is and who is not a police officer.

At the end of 1999 the California Department of Education requested proposals for classes to
meet the needs of second language learners through a new program – English Language and
Civics Education. The program would help learners to not only acquire English skills, but give
them practice to use English to access information to be more involved in the community, as
well. The development of “Talking with the Police” was a natural fit.

Critical Information
In developing the workbook it became apparent that students would need a clear understanding
of some of the critical information. For that reason, the material found in the gray boxes is
translated into the native languages (Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese) of the learners to facilitate
an accurate understanding of this crucial information. The translations are in the appendix.

This workbook is a collaboration of the Bruggemeyer Memorial Library’s

LAMP (Literacy for All of Monterey Park) Program with the Monterey Park
Police Department. It was funded by federal EL Civics Education funds under
P.L. 105-220 for the California Department of Education, Education Support
Systems Division.

4
Lesson 1: Meet the Police

5
Vocabulary

a badge (badges) a police officer (police officers)

The USA
Canada
Mexico
Korea

a country (countries) a police officer a police officer

a nation (nations) a policewoman a policeman

NO PARKING

regular clothes a uniform (uniforms) a law (laws)

street clothes

shaking hands a gun (guns) He’s wearing a gun.

(a handshake) an arm (arms) He’s armed.

6
 Police Officers
Police officers enforce the laws of the United States (federal laws). They enforce the laws of the
state and county. They enforce the laws of cities and towns. They are part of the nation’s law
enforcement system.

There are many kinds of police officers. They may wear different uniforms or they may wear
regular clothes. They may be men or women.

All police officers perform the same job. They make sure that laws are obeyed and that people
are safe.

Talking about Police Officers

There are many ways to refer to a police officer. Some words are polite (nice). Some are not
polite (not nice). Some words are formal. Some are informal.

Read the words below. Write the words which are formal under Formal and those that are not
formal under Informal. Add other words you might know.

cop officer policeman/policewoman 5-O

Formal Informal

Talking to Police Officers

All of these terms are polite:

Officer for a man or a woman

Sir for a man
Ma’am for a woman

7
 Greeting a Police Officer
Sometimes a police officer may seem to be unfriendly. When you meet him, he may not shake
your hand. The officer will “keep his distance” and keep his gun guarded with his arm, rather
than extend a hand in greeting. This is to be safe. This is to make sure that no one takes his gun.

Conversations
Conversation 1

Officer: Hello. How are you?

Person 1: Not so good today.
Officer: Well, how can I help you?
Person 1: My car was stolen.

Conversation 2

Officer: I’m a policeman. Can I come in and ask you some questions?
Person 1: What is your name and badge number?
Officer: I’m Officer Jones. My badge number is 2314.
Person 1: That’s 2314? May I see your I.D., please?
Officer: Here it is.
2314

Conversation 3

Officer: I’m a police officer. Can I come in?

Person 1: I didn’t call the police. Let me see your I.D.
What station are you from?
Officer: Monterey Park.
Person 1: Just a minute. (Make phone call to station to verify identification.)

Conversation 4

Person 1: Monterey Park Police Department. Can I help you?

Person 2: Yes. There is someone at my door who says he’s a police officer.
His last name is Jones. Did you send him?
Person 1: Yes, he is a policeman. He’s investigating a crime in the neighborhood.
Person 2: Okay. Thank you.

8
Conversation 5

Person 1: Monterey Park Police Department. Can I help you?

Person 2: Yes. There’s a man at my door who says he’s a police officer. His last
name is Jones. Did you send him?
Person 1: No. Is he from Monterey Park or Alhambra Police Department?
Person 2: He said Monterey Park.
Person 1: He is not our officer. Don’t let him in. I’ll send an officer to your house now.
Person 2: Thank you.

Writing Practice
Look at Conversations 2 and 3. Write the officer’s name and badge number.

Name of Officer: _______________________________________________________________

Badge Number: _______________________________________________________________

Find out which police agency works in your city. Write the name of your city, the station, and
the telephone number. (You can find the information in the telephone book or on the Internet).

Example:
City: Temple City
Police: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Telephone: (626) 285-7171

City: _______________________________________

Police: ______________________________________ Telephone: ____________________

Check It Out
Use the Internet to find a list of special programs offered by your police agency. (Try a search
using your city’s name and “police.” Example: Monterey Park Police.) Write about them here.

9
 Law Enforcement In The United States

There are different branches of law enforcement and different categories of laws. Laws that
apply to the nation (the United States) are called federal laws. Laws that apply to an individual
state are state laws. Laws that are decided by individual counties are county laws.
Cities, or municipalities, also make laws. These are called municipal codes.

Most cities have their own police departments. If they don't, they pay the county to provide their
law enforcement. Areas that are not incorporated as cities are policed by county law
enforcement officers, such as sheriffs and deputies.

Examples of Laws Law Enforcement Responsibilities of

Level of the Law on This Level Officers Officers

Federal (entire USA) No counterfeiting Federal Bureau of Enforce federal

Investigation (FBI) (national) laws

State (California) The speed limit on California Highway Enforce highway

101 is 65. Patrol (CHP) safety

County (Los Angeles) No overnight camping Sheriff and Deputies House prisoners (LA
in most County Parks County Jail) and
enforce all laws for
unincorporated areas
and contracted cities

City (Monterey Park) You must get a permit Police Officers Enforce all laws
to own more than two
dogs.

10
Word Work
Contractions

one more than one

I am = I’m we are = we’re

you are = you’re you are = you’re
he is = he’s they are = they’re
she is = she’s
it is = it’s

Read the following sentences. Circle all the contractions.

1. I’m a deputy.
2. You’re not a policeman.
3. She’s a sheriff.
4. It’s not an emergency.
5. We’re not going.
6. They’re over there.
7. He’s not here.

Some more contractions to practice:

what is = what’s
that is = that’s
where is = where’s

Read the conversation. Then circle all the contractions.

Person 1: What’s your name?

Person 2: My name’s David Smith. Who are you?
Person 1: I’m Cindy Little. Where’s Susan?
Person 2: She’s not here. She’s sick.
Person 1: That’s too bad. What’s wrong with her?
Person 2: It’s just a cold. That’s all.

11
Pronunciation Practice
Some Spelling Patterns for Long a: ā

a ai ay a_e eigh
station main today name eight (8)
labor rain pay date neighbor
nation laid may late neighborhood

Short a: ă

at Alhambra national last that

man California hands fast rather
badge can and Ma’am than

Some Word Families

office police enforce nation incorporate

officer policeman enforcement national incorporated
officers policewoman international unincorporate
police officers permit unincorporated
investigate permission
investigation

Some Numbers

1 one 11 eleven 30 thirty

2 two 12 twelve 40 forty
3 three 13 thirteen 50 fifty
4 four 14 fourteen 60 sixty
5 five 15 fifteen 70 seventy
6 six 16 sixteen 80 eighty
7 seven 17 seventeen 90 ninety
8 eight 18 eighteen 100 one hundred
9 nine 19 nineteen 110 one hundred ten
10 ten 20 twenty 120 one hundred twenty

Numbers from 21 – 99 are written with a hyphen between the two numbers (-).

twenty-one thirty-one forty-one fifty-one sixty-one

twenty-two thirty-two forty-two fifty-two sixty-two
twenty-three thirty-three forty-three fifty-three sixty-three

12
On the Beat
O O o o O oOo oO o o O
one thirty thirteen one hundred He’s Officer Jones.
two forty fourteen Good morning! in Monterey Park
three fifty fifteen How are you? Please, can I come in?
four sixty sixteen Alhambra a man at my door
five eighty eighteen department ________________
six ninety nineteen policeman ________________
eight ___________ ________________
nine neighbor police ___________ ________________
ten country today ___________ ________________
______ county patrol ___________ ________________
______ _______ ________ ___________ ________________
______ _______ ________ ___________ ________________

An English Idiom
“keep your distance” -- don’t get too close; stay away

That dog looks dangerous.

You better keep your distance from him.

I’m sick so you should keep your distance today.

Write a sentence with “keep your distance.”

_____________________________________________________________________________

13
Lesson 2: Traffic Stops

14
Vocabulary

a ticket (tickets) an officer (officers) a key (keys)

a citation (citations) a motorcycle policeman car keys

a steering wheel a glove compartment a purse a wallet

(steering wheels) (glove compartments) (purses) (wallets)

a driver’s license insurance card a police car (police cars)

(driver’s licenses) proof of insurance a squad car (squad cars)

15
 When a Police Officer Stops You
When a police officer stops you when you are driving, you should:

1. Pull over to the right side of the road.

2. Put the car in park.
3. Turn off the car.
4. Put your hands on the steering wheel.
5. Stay in the car. Wait for the officer to come to you.

The police officer will ask you for three things:

1. driver’s license 2. vehicle registration

3. proof of insurance

INSURANCE IDENTIFICATION CARD CARRY IN VEHICLE AS EVIDENCE OF INSURANCE

Policy No.: 382 123 10 Eff. Date: 12/15/01 Exp. Date: 6/15/02 ABC Insurance
Insured(s): Happy Monster Meets the Requirements Company
12345 Atlantic Blvd. of Section 16056 (800) 123-4567
Monterey Park CA 19754 2301 N. 7th St.
Los Angeles CA 90022
YEAR: 1997 MAKE: Voyager SE VIN: 1P8GN49R2
Claims Service Phone: (800) 321-9875 In case of accident call Claims Number

16
Some Common Abbreviations
Below are some abbreviations used in this lesson on page 16. Work with a partner to write the
word next to the abbreviation.

1. No. _________________________________________________
2. VIN _________________________________________________
3. Eff. _________________________________________________
4. Exp. _________________________________________________
5. St. _________________________________________________
6. Blvd. _________________________________________________
7. CA _________________________________________________
8. PO BX _________________________________________________
9. DMV _________________________________________________
10. N. _________________________________________________

Do you know some more abbreviations? Write them here.

____________ _________________________________________________
____________ _________________________________________________
____________ _________________________________________________
____________ _________________________________________________
____________ _________________________________________________

____________ _________________________________________________

17
Conversations
Conversation 1
Driver: Hi. How are you?
Officer: OK. May I see your license,
registration and insurance, please?
Driver: Sure. They’re in my wallet.
(purse)
(glove compartment)
Officer: Get them out, please.
Driver: Here they are.

Conversation 2

Driver: Hello Officer. Is there a problem?

Officer: I need to see your license, registration and insurance.
Driver: Here are my license and registration. I left my insurance card at home.
Officer: Well now, that’s a problem.

Conversation 3
Driver: Officer, is something wrong?
Officer: I need to see your license, registration and insurance, please.
Driver: They’re in my purse. [Gets them, hands them to the officer.] Here they are.
Officer: Do you know why I stopped you?
Driver: No, I don’t.
Officer: You didn’t stop at the stop sign.

Conversation 4

Officer: Show me your license, registration and proof of

insurance.
Driver: They’re in the glove compartment. Here.
Officer: Do you know why I stopped you?
Driver: Yes, but I can explain.
(Write an explanation of what happened.)

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

18
This is a citation:

19
Oh No! Not a Ticket!
a citation = a ticket = an invitation to visit the judge

Giving citations (tickets) is a way of teaching what is good and safe driving. It also teaches what
is not safe and not allowed. When adults pay money for fines, they usually learn to not repeat
the action that caused them to get a ticket.

Directions: Look at the citation on the previous page. Answer the questions.

1. On what day must the driver appear in court?

___________________________________________________________________

2. What is the driver’s license number?

___________________________________________________________________

3. At what location did the violation happen?

___________________________________________________________________

4. What color is the car?

___________________________________________________________________

5. What is the name of the officer who wrote the ticket?

___________________________________________________________________

6. Where can you find the instructions that tell you what to do?

___________________________________________________________________

7. Sign the ticket on the line marked signature.

If a Police Officer Gives You a Ticket

You must sign the ticket.

Your signature does not mean that you agree with the ticket. It does not admit guilt.
You can talk with the judge in court if you disagree with the ticket.

20
Word Work

Past Tense
To put something in the past in English, you usually add –ed to the verb.
Examples:

block blocked sign signed

walk walked rain rained
stop stopped call called

Irregular verbs are different. You do not add –ed to make the past tense.
Irregular verbs change their forms in many different ways:

run ran see saw have had drive drove

The past of the verb to be has 2 forms of the past. Just memorize this:

was were
I was we were
you were you were
she was they were
he was
it was

Rewrite the following paragraph. Correct the underlined words to put the paragraph in the past
tense form.

I run the stop sign because the tree is in the way. The tree blocks the sign so
I couldn’t see it. When I see the sign, it is too late. I stop too late.

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

21
Pronunciation Practice
Some Spelling Patterns for Long e: ē

e ey ee ea e_e

be key see please here

we monkey keep read Pete
decide tree beam these
vehicle free scream evening

Short e: ĕ

get men enforce every

let send evidence end
red license registration tell
left when exit sell

Some Word Families

insure register explain drive drive

insured registered explained driver driving
uninsured unregistered explanation driveway
insurance registration steer
steering

On the Beat
o oOo O o o o o O o o O
registration glove compartment insurance explain
That’s a problem. driver’s license instructions because
Get them out, please. Give it to me. citation I’m fine.
information motorcycle requirements at home
explanation _______________ I didn’t my purse
California _______________ I promise I don’t
________________ _______________ _____________ ______________
________________ _______________ _____________ ______________
________________ _______________ _____________ ______________

22
An English Idiom
“face the music” -- accept the consequences of what you do

You know you were speeding. Just face the music and pay your ticket.
We all have to face the music some time.

Write a sentence with “face the music.”

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

23
Lesson 3: A Traffic Accident

24
Vocabulary

an accident (accidents) an antique car a truck (trucks)

a head-on collision a big rig
a 2-car accident an 18-wheeler

engine trouble a tow truck a van (vans)

The hood is up.

a 4-door sedan a tire (tires ) a bus (busses)

a passenger car

some important road signs

25
 What to Do If You are In An Accident
When you have an accident:
1. Be calm.
2. Stay away from angry people.
3. Move the cars off of the street (if it is safe to do so).
4. Call the police to make a report. (If there is no problem, don’t call the police.)
• If there are serious injuries, call 911 first.
• If there are no serious injuries, call the local police.
5. After you call the police, wait.
6. The police will need to see your:
driver’s license
registration
proof of insurance

If the accident involves another car, write down the car’s license plate number.

If there are any witnesses to the accident, ask them for their names and telephone numbers.
Write them down.

Writing Practice
1. What number do you call if you are in an accident and someone is badly hurt?
________________________________________________________________________

2. What number do you call if no one is hurt? It is not an emergency.

________________________________________________________________________

3. Why is it important to write down the names of witnesses?

______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

4. What do you do if the person who hit you is angry? ______________________________

________________________________________________
5. Why do accidents happen? Talk with a friend about reasons that accidents happen.
Write them down. (Example: running red lights, drunk driving)
________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

26
Conversations
Conversation 1

Driver 1: What happened? Why did you run into me?

Driver 2: I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.
Driver 1: Well you better watch where
you’re going.
Driver 2: Okay. I will.

Conversation 2

Driver 1: You totaled my car!

Driver 2: Look what you did to my car! It was
your fault.
Driver 1: No, it was your fault. You ran into me.
Driver 2: That’s because you ran a red light.
Driver 1: I’m sure it was green.
Driver 2: We need to file a report.

Conversation 3

Driver: Hello. I need to report an accident.

Operator: Is anyone injured?
Driver: No, everyone is okay.
Operator: What is your name, please.
Driver: Harry Potter.
Operator: Where did the accident happen?
Driver: At Garvey and Atlantic, in Monterey Park.
Operator: Please wait there. An officer will come to take your report.

Conversation 4

Driver: I want to report a hit-and-run. Someone ran into my car and then took off.
Operator: Is anyone injured?
Driver: No, no one’s hurt.
Operator: Did you get the license plate number?
Driver: Most of it. 3-E-D-J-4, but I didn’t get the last two numbers.
Operator: Describe the car that hit you, please.
Driver: It’s a black Mustang convertible with a tan roof. It looks like a new car.
Operator: What is your name, address and telephone number?
Driver: My name is ________________________________________________.
Operator: Thank you. We’ll send an officer.

27
Word Work
More Practice with Past Tenses
Regular: Irregular:
walk walked file filed hit hit drive drove
talk talked watch watched run ran see saw
try tried do did

Rewrite the following paragraph. Change the underlined words to the past tense.

Yesterday I see a bad accident as I walk home from work. A truck hit a little dog as it run across
the street. I watch the driver as he drive off. He see me and he drive away even faster. He do
not stop. He do not try to help the little dog. He do not talk to the person who is with the dog.
He do not file an accident report. It is a hit-and-run accident. It is very sad. I try to help the
little dog but it is too late.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

Adjectives: Words that Describe

Circle the words that describe this car.

NOTE: In English, many words that describe
nouns come in front of the noun (a little, blue
car). Or they come after is, are, was, were. (It was
blue and dirty.)

This is my car. It is old, but I still like it.

It is orange. I wanted a red one, but the price was right on this one.
It’s sort of the color of tomato soup, isn’t it?
It’s a convertible. It is very dependable. It’s a very big car.
That’s fine, except when I try to park it on the street.

28
Pronunciation Practice
Some Spelling Patterns for Long i: ī

i Ie i_e y igh

I Tie file by highway

I’m Die fine my light
Hi! Lie mine try tight
bicycle Pie time sky night

Short i: ĭ

is Did accident if
it hit traffic immediate
in his registration injured
this window exit sick

Some Word Families

hit bend report drive turn

hitting bending reporting driving turning
hitter bender reporter driver turner

On the Beat

oOo O o o o o O o o O o o O
What happened? fender bender pedestrian Call the police.
I’m sorry. driver’s license insurance card Make a report.
a red light operator emergency Okay, I will.
another motorcycle convertible What is your name?
insurance ______________ I’m sure of it. Nobody’s hurt.
policeman ______________ an accident Stop when it’s red.
______________ ______________ ______________ _______________
______________ ______________ ______________ _______________
______________ ______________ ______________ _______________

29
Describing an Accident
Writing Practice

Read about the accident. Then fill out this

accident form.

One day you were driving your pretty

white car along Smith Street. It is a one-
way street and you were going the
correct direction.

Suddenly a black car hit you head-on.

Neither car was going very fast, so you
did not get injured. But your car is
totaled and his car is a mess, too.

Richard I. Gotcha was driving the black

car. His wife, Ono, was with him. They
live at 1661 N. 4th St. in Pasadena.

You called the police right away. While

you waited for them to come, you filled
out a form your insurance company gave
you. You filled it out as completely as
possible. Then you referred to it when
the police asked you questions.

30
An English Idiom
“hit- and-run” -- an accident in which a driver hits a person or object and does not stop to help
the injured or give information to anyone

It was a terrible hit-and-run accident. A drunk driver hit a child in the street
and drove away from the accident at top speed.

I don’t know who ran into my car. It was a hit-and-run.

Write a sentence with “hit-and-run”.

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

“totaled” – completely destroyed

My car was totaled in the accident. I need a new one.

The insurance company said the truck was totaled.

Write a sentence with “totaled.”

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

31
Lesson 4: Calling 911

HELP!

“What’s the emergency?”

32
Vocabulary

fire (fire) police an ambulance (ambulances)

the house is on fire

a fire truck (fire trucks) a helicopter (helicopters)

a medical evacuation helicopter

a paramedic (paramedics) a flood (floods) an unconscious man

He’s bleeding.

a tornado (tornadoes) a weapon (weapons)

an arm (arms)

33
 911 Calls
Dial 911 on your telephone when there is an emergency. An emergency is when
you need the police, an ambulance or a fire truck immediately (right now). Dial
911 when you or someone else is in danger.

In Monterey Park, the 911 operator will be able to tell where you are calling
from. In some other communities you must tell the 911 operator where you are.

Remember: 911 is for emergencies only. Do not call 911 if it is not an

emergency.

Conversations
Conversation 1

Operator: 911. What is your emergency?

Caller: Someone’s hurt. I need an
ambulance.
(Fire. There’s a fire.)
(Police. Send the police.)
Operator: Okay, help is on the way.
Stay on the line. Do not hang up.
OK? Caller: OK.

Conversation 2

Operator: 911. What is your emergency?

Caller: There’s a fire!
Operator: Where is the fire?
Caller: My house! 2231 Oak Avenue in MontereyPark.

Conversation 3

Operator: 911 operator. What is your emergency?

Caller: Help! Someone is robbing my house!
Operator: Does he know you are there?
Caller: No, I’m hiding in the bathroom.
Operator: Is the robber armed?
Caller: Yes, he has a gun.
Operator: Do not hang up. We are sending someone now.

34
Conversation 4

Operator: 911 operator. What is your emergency?

Caller: I’m sorry. I want information. 411. Sorry. Goodbye.

A few minutes later a police officer knocks on the caller’s door.*

Police: Hello. We had a call about an emergency.

Caller: That was a mistake. There’s no emergency.
Police: We’d like to come in and check, please.
Caller: No. No emergency.
Police: Open the door now. We’re not leaving.

Caller opens the door. The police enter and look around. When they are sure everything is OK,
they leave.

*If You Accidentally Dial 911

In many cities, if you dial 911 by mistake, the police will come to your house—even if you do
not need help. You must let them come into your house. The police will make sure that
everyone is OK. Then they will leave your house.

Word Work
Answer every question with Yes, it is. or No, it isn’t.

1. You missed the bus and need a ride to work. Is this an emergency? ___________________

2. You are vomiting blood. Is this an emergency? ________________________________

3. Your back aches. Is this an emergency? ______________________________

4. Someone is trapped in a burning house. Is this an emergency? ____________________

5. Is winter your favorite season? ________________________________

6. Is it time for lunch? ___________________________________________

7. Is it time to go home, yet? _________________________________________

35
 911 -- To Call or Not to Call
Use 911 only for police, fire, and medical emergencies.
If a life is in danger, call 911. If no life is in danger, do not call 911.
If there has been an accident and someone is injured, call 911.
If there has been an accident, but it was just a fender bender, do not call 911.

Look at each picture in the chart. Write what is happening. Should you call 911?
If yes, circle the picture.

1 2 3

___________________ ___________________ ____________________

___________________ ___________________ ____________________

4 5 6

___________________ ___________________ ____________________

___________________ ___________________ ____________________

Practice with a partner. Practice making 911 calls about the emergencies that you circled above.

36
Pronunciation Practice
Some Spelling Patterns for Long o: ō

o oa ow o_e

no oak slow home

open boat tow dope
over moan show bone
tornado loan mow alone

Short o: ŏ

on off cost lot

not gone cot tot
operator conscious hot got

Some Word Families

operate flood mistake dispatch fire

operating flooding mistaken dispatching fireman
operator flooded dispatcher firefighter

On the Beat
O o o O O o o oO o o
open Hang on! medical emergency
after She fell! ambulance an ambulance
only Come in! robbery my English class
fender I’m hurt! burglary Hang on a sec
bender mistake accident I told you so
danger inside ____________ community
injured alright ____________ _______________
practice discuss ____________ _______________
partner _________ ____________ _______________
________ _________ ____________ _______________
________ _________ ____________ _______________

37
An English Idiom
“hang on” -- wait

She was very busy and told me to hang on a minute.

Hang on while I find that information for you.

Can you hang on a sec? Someone’s at the door.

Write a sentence with “hang on.”

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

38
Lesson 5: Reporting a Crime

39
Vocabulary
Words that Describe

short hair medium-length long, black hair straight, brown dark, curly hair
dark hair hair hair
light-colored

a man wearing a
kerchief, sunglasses
thin fat tall and short and a blue shirt

a mustache a beard a man (left) and a woman (right)

an elderly couple

a cap and sunglasses blue eyes brown eyes

40
 SUSPECT DESCRIPTION
Fill out as best you can

Sex Race Age Height Weight Weapon Type

Hair Hat
(color, type)

Glasses type Tie

Complexion Shirt

Scars/marks Coat

Tattoos Trousers

Shoes

Auto License, make, color Direction of escape

41
 Crime
A crime is an act that could harm another person or another person’s property.

When a crime happens to you, or you see a crime happen, report it to the police. If there is
danger and it is an emergency, call 911. If there is no danger, call the regular telephone number
for your police department. Try to remember as much information as you can about the crime--
what happened, and who did it.

Writing Practice
The Purse Snatcher
Mary was going to a meeting at the park. She was walking
down the sidewalk and saw a woman jogging towards her.
“I should start jogging, too,” thought Mary. Just then, the
woman grabbed Mary’s purse off of her shoulder. Mary
tried to hold on to her purse, but she could not. Mary ran
after the woman, but she could not catch her. The woman
was gone and so was the purse with all of Mary’s money,
her driver’s license, and her credit card. She could replace
those. In her purse Mary also had special pictures of her
daughter and her son. Those she could not replace.
Mary was very angry and very sad.

1. Where was Mary going? ___________________________________________________________

2. Where was Mary’s purse? _____________________________________________________

3. What was in Mary’s purse? ____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

4. What should Mary do now? ____________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

5. If someone stole your purse, or your wallet, what would you lose? _____________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Practice with a partner. Pretend you are Mary. Tell your friend what happened.

42
Conversations
Conversation 1

Person 1: Someone stole my purse.

Officer: Was it a man or a woman?
Person 1: A woman.
Officer: Can you tell me what she looks
like?
Person 1: She’s tall. She has long brown hair.
She was jogging.

Conversation 2

Officer: You want to report a stolen vehicle?

Person: Yes. My car is gone. It was right here, but now it’s gone.
Officer: Where was it?
Person: I parked it in this space.
Officer: What does your car look like?
Person: It’s a 2001 silver Toyota Camry. I just bought it last month!

Conversation 3

Person 1: I want to make a report.

Officer: Tell me what happened.
Person 1: I saw someone robbing a woman.
Officer: Where did this happen?
Person: In front of the grocery store.
Officer: Describe the robber.
Person 1: It was a man. He was short, blue eyes, and dark hair.
I think he was about twenty years old.
Officer: What was he wearing?
Person 1: Jeans and a blue t-shirt.

43
Word Work
Choose someone in class to describe. Do not write the person’s name. Write a brief description
of the person, including:
• What he or she looks like,
• Where he or she is sitting,
• What he or she is doing.

Then give what you wrote to your partner. Read what your partner wrote. From what you read,
answer this question: Who is it?

Write your description here:

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Pronunciation
Some Spelling Patterns for Long u: ū

u ue ew u_e o and oo

duty due new rude to

nuclear blue blew tune too
super glue threw June zoo
tunic true stew flute do

Short u: ŭ

up must cup mother

us trust yup other
under bust Yuk! brother
just dust button son

44
On the Beat
O o o O o O o O
straight hair report She stole my purse.
short hair my purse She grabbed the purse.
long hair She’s tall. My car is gone.
mustache I want Come help me, please.
someone describe I know his name.
woman police ____________________
t-shirt replace ____________________
green eyes ______________ ____________________
address ______________ ____________________
dispatch ______________ ____________________
_______________ ______________ ____________________
_______________ ______________ ____________________

An English Idiom
“stick out your neck” -- to take a risk, to take a chance

“I tried to catch the robber to help you because I knew you would stick your neck out for
me if I needed help.”

He won’t be a witness. He won’t stick out his neck for anyone.

Write a sentence with “stick out your neck.”

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

“all eyes” -- to stare at

Whenever a pretty woman walks by, he’s all eyes.

Write a sentence with “all eyes.”

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

45
Lesson 6: Preventing Crimes

46
Vocabulary

Words that Tell Where (prepositions of place)

by, beside, near on, on top of in, inside of

around over under

between through to

Among, in the middle of surrounded by near, close to, next to, with

behind, in back of in front of on top of, resting on

47
Vocabulary Exercise
Look at the picture for Lesson 6. Use the vocabulary words to complete the following sentences.

1. The lamp is _________________________ the officer.

2. The rug is __________________________ the table.

3. The cup is ________________________ the plate.

4. The woman in yellow is _____________________ the woman in black and the man.

5. The cookies are __________________________ the table.

6. The man is sitting ___________________________ the window.

7. The officer is ___________________________ the people.

Write more sentences to describe the picture.

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Neighborhood Watch Stops Crime

Neighbors can work together and with the police to help stop crime.
This program is called Neighborhood Watch. It is a crime prevention
program. It depends on the help of the people to reduce crime. Good
neighbors with a good police department make an excellent crime-fighting
team.

In Neighborhood Watch, neighbors look out for each

other. They get to know each other. They watch
each other’s homes and report suspicious activities
to the police.

48
Writing Practice
Read the following sentences. Put an X in front of every sentence that describes a suspicious
activity. Discuss with your class why you think that it is a suspicious activity.

1. A stranger enters your neighbor’s house when no one is at home.

2. Someone is removing a license plate from a car.
3. A group of teenagers are walking down the street, looking at every car.
4. A car has been parked on your block for several days.
5. Someone is being forced into a car.
6. Someone is wearing or carrying clothes that have something red on them.
It looks like blood.
7. There is a light—like a flashlight—in an empty house.
8. A car is weaving down the street, as if the driver is drunk.
9. Someone puts an unmarked envelope into a neighbor’s mailbox.
10. There’s a “meter reader” at the door—but he isn’t wearing a uniform.

Something to Think About

How do you feel about the crime in your neighborhood?
Read each statement. Circle the number to show how you feel about the statement:
1 means not good; 5 means very good.

Poor Excellent
(Not Good) (Very Good)

1. How well your neighbors know each other 1 2 3 4 5

2. The way your neighbors help each other 1 2 3 4 5
3. The amount of crime in your neighborhood 1 2 3 4 5
4. The way the police treat (act with) you 1 2 3 4 5
5. How safe you feel in your home 1 2 3 4 5

49
More Writing Practice

Use the Inspection Form below to inspect your home. What can you do to make your home
safer? [NOTE: In many communities, the Police Department will conduct an inspection of your
home or place of business for you, if you ask.]

House Inspection Form

OK Not OK Comments

House Are the house numbers big

Numbers enough? Can the police see
them to find your house in
an emergency?

Doors Do the locks work? Do you

have deadbolt locks? Can
the door be opened through
a window? Is there good
lighting at the door?

Windows Are they locked? Can a

robber get through them
with no one seeing him?

Garage Is the door locked? Is the

garage well lighted?

Lighting Are there lights outside?

Can anyone hide in a dark
corner?

Landscape Are the shrubs and bushes

trimmed (cut), so no
one can hide in them?

Smoke Are they placed in good locations

Detectors (kitchen, each bedroom)? Are the
batteries working?

50
Conversations
Conversation 1

Operator: Police Department. Can I help you?

Caller: Yes. A robber is in my neighbor’s house.
Operator: What is the address?
Caller: 123 Valley Drive.

Conversation 2

Operator: Police Department. Can I help you?

Caller: Someone took the license plate off my friend’s car! I think he’s stealing it.
Operator: Where is the car parked?
Caller: At his house. 584 Cambridge Road. No one’s home.
Operator: What does the suspect look like?
Caller: A young man, about 20. He’s white, has blond hair. He’s wearing a red T-
shirt and jeans.
Operator: We’ll send someone to check it out.

Conversation 3

Person 1: Hello. My name’s ___________________________. I live

down the street.
I’d like to invite you to a Neighborhood Watch meeting.
Person 2: What’s that?
Person 1: It’s where we get together to stop the crime in our neighborhood. The police will
come to tell us how we can make our neighborhood safer.
Person 2: My son was beaten up by a gang just last week.
Person 1: I’m sorry to hear that. Why don’t you come to the meeting?
Person 2: I’ll try…

Conversation 4

Make up your own conversation to invite someone to join Neighborhood Watch.

Person 1: __________________________________________________________________
Person 2: __________________________________________________________________
Person 1: __________________________________________________________________
Person 2: __________________________________________________________________
Person 1: __________________________________________________________________

51
Check It Out
Contact your local police department. Ask for
copies of brochures and flyers about keeping your
neighborhood safe. Read them with your family.
Share them with your class.

Write the names of the brochures here.

_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

Word Work
English has a lot of words that look the same, but we pronounce them differently.
When these words are nouns, the stress is on the first syllable. But when these words are verbs,
the stress is on the second syllable. The meanings are different but sometimes are related.

Word Part of Speech Definition Sample Sentence

A person who
SUSpect Noun Bin Laden is a terrorist
may be guilty
suspect.
of something.
susPECT Verb To be Many people suspect him
suspicious of of terrorist activities.
RECord Noun A document— He has a police record
often a form and has been to jail twice.
To write down
ReCORD Verb The police will record the
or otherwise
testimony on videotape.
make note of

What other words do you know that act like suspect and record? Write them below:

Word Part of Speech Definition Sample Sentence

52
Pronunciation Practice
Some Spelling Patterns that use Y for Long i: ī

y uy

by buy
my guy
cry
try

A Spelling Pattern that uses Y for Long e: ē

baby Mary noisy happy

city many any lucky
lazy empty dirty
bloody carry sleepy

Some Word Families

suspect record strange prevent

suspecting recording stranger prevented
suspected recorder strangely preventable
suspicious recorded prevention

On the Beat
O o o O o o o O o o o O o

residents occupied inspection residential

neighborhood teenagers suspicious good locations
citizens visible prevention in each bedroom
following license plate a stranger Can I help you?
sentences vehicles good lighting What’s the address?
____________ ____________ my neighbor get to know you
____________ ____________ ____________ _______________
____________ ____________ ____________ _______________
____________ ____________ ____________ _______________

53
An English Idiom
“wake up call” -- to make someone aware, alert

The murder down the street was quite a wake up call for us. We’d better be
more careful and start to help each other.

He got fired from his job. Maybe that will be a wake up call, to make him
think before he gets so angry.

Many people said that the September 11, 2001 disaster in New York was a
wake up call, to help them realize how much this country and their families
mean to them.

Write a sentence using “wake up call.”

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

54
Lesson 7: Domestic Violence

55
Vocabulary

Physical Abuse:

to tie someone up to hit or to beat up someone to push or shove someone

hitting, beating pushing, shoving

Verbal Abuse:

It’s all YOUR

fault!

Stupid!
No good!

name calling blaming

56
Sexual Abuse: Financial Abuse:

make you do sexual

acts when you don’t want to keep you from getting
a job; take your money

Emotional Abuse:

make you feel bad about isolation threaten, make threats

yourself (make you stay alone, (say will kill or hurt
away from people) you or your children)

57
 What is Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is about power and control. It is the actions one person uses to
control the other person in a relationship. Domestic violence can be criminal when
it includes:

• physical abuse (hitting, pushing, shoving, etc.),

• sexual abuse (unwanted, forced sexual activity), or
• stalking (constantly following someone)

Other Types of Abuse

Some other types of abuse are:

• emotional abuse (name-calling and putting-down), and

• financial abuse (withholding money or stopping someone from
getting a job.

Emotional and financial abuse are not a crime, but they can lead to criminal
abuse and violence. An abuser will try to make an excuse for the behavior
or blame the victim for causing it.

There is no excuse for violent behavior. Violence is against the law.

Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence: rich, poor, old, young, married,
single, Black, White, Asian, Latino, Middle Easterner—anyone.

Anyone can be an abuser. Most abusers are men (97%), but women can also be
abusers. Abuse is a learned behavior. It can be stopped with treatment and
counseling—if a person is willing to change.

Writing Practice
Read the article (above) about domestic violence. Then answer the following questions:

1. What are three kinds of criminal domestic violence? _______________________

______________________________________________________________________________

2. Who can be a victim of domestic violence? __________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

58
3. Can a woman commit (do) domestic violence? _______________________________

4. What is emotional abuse? ________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

5. Domestic violence is about power and control. Discuss this with a partner. Write why it
is about power and control.
_____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

A Neighbor in Trouble

It is 1:00 in the morning. You hear a noise outside and look out your window.
You see the leaves of a tree moving at your neighbor’s house. A man jumps out
of the tree and over the fence. He runs away. The next day you talk with your
neighbor. She tells you that the man is her ex-husband. He hurt her and she left
him. He stalks her and she is afraid he will hurt her and her son.

You are her neighbor. Can you help her? Should you help her? Why or why not? Discuss with
your class what you could do. Where could you or your neighbor go for help? Write what you
would do here.
______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

A Women’s Shelter helps victims of domestic violence. Find a phone number for one in your
area. (Call the library, look on the Internet, or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at
1-800-799-7233 for help.) Write the phone number here.

Women’s Shelter: ______________________________

59
What the Police Can Do
If your partner is hurting you, call the police. They can

• get you and your children out of the house safely

• arrest the abuser (if they can see that an assault has happened)
• tell you where there is a shelter to get help
• make a police report -- this will help to prove abuse if charges are filed, or
to show a court why it should give you a “personal protection order.”

Something to Think About

Some things are different in the United States than in the country you come from. Some things
are the same. Read the following. Put a check mark (√) to show what you think.

Same Better in the Better in my

U.S. homeland
1. The way men treat women
2. The way women treat men
3. The way people respect their elders
4. The way children treat their parents
5. The way adults treat children

Conversations
Conversation 1

Operator: 9-1-1. What’s your emergency?

Caller: There is someone in my neighbor’s yard. Send help.
Operator: What is your neighbor’s address?
Caller: It’s 439 Cloverdale Street.

60
Conversation 2

Operator: 9-1-1. What is your emergency?

Caller: My neighbors are fighting. I’m afraid someone is going to get hurt.
Operator: Does anyone have a weapon?
Caller: Yes. The woman has a gun.
Operator: What is their address?
Caller: I don’t know. But it’s across the street from me.
I’m at 3820 Newport Ave.
Operator: We’re sending a patrol car. Please stay on the line.

Conversation 3

Write your own conversation. Use the recent class discussion notes (see previous page) to write
a conversation on how you might help a neighbor.

Person 1: ____________________________________________________________
Person 2: ____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Person 1: ____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Person 2: ____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

61
Word Work
How many opposites do you know? For example, the opposite of up is down.

Here are some words you have been studying in these lessons. Write the opposite beside the
word.

The opposite of … …is:

up down
man
happy
safe
afraid
freedom
always
many
violence
good
public
clean
father
love

Pronunciation
These groups review the short vowel sounds.

an ban Dan bat had

end bend den bet hedge
in bin din bit hid
on bond Don bought hodge podge
under bun Dunkirk but huddle

62
On the Beat

o O o o O o o o o o O o o

a stalker emotional domestic violence

attacker relationship That man is stalking me.
my husband activity What’s your emergency?
their address afraid of him across the street from me
my neighbor ______________ you hear a noise outside
patrol car ______________ your partner’s hurting you
____________ ______________ _______________________
____________ ______________ _______________________
____________ ______________ _______________________

An English Idiom
“tie one on” -- get drunk

He’s going to the bar to tie one on. She’d better stay away from him tonight.
She really tied one on last night at the party.

Write a sentence with “tie one on.”

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

63
Lesson 8: Accused of a Crime

64
Vocabulary

Put your hands in the air. hands behind your back hands behind your head
Put ‘em up.

spread your legs apart get down on the ground turn around slowly

a line-up handcuffs a patrol car

65
 The Miranda Rights
The police must have probable cause (a good reason) to arrest you.

If the police do arrest you, you do not have to answer questions about the crime.
The police must tell you that you do not have to answer questions about the crime.
They must tell you that you have the right to remain silent and to have a lawyer
present when you are asked questions. This is called the Miranda Rights.
These rights are given only after you are arrested for a crime and the police are
going to question you.

The Miranda Rights tell you four things:

1. You have the right to remain silent. (You do not have to speak.)
2. Anything you say can be used against you in court.
3. You have the right to talk to a lawyer before and during questioning.
4. If you cannot afford a lawyer and you want one, a lawyer will be given to you
without cost.

Writing Practice
Read the Miranda Rights. Fill in the blanks below with the following words.

right given cannot against silent

You have the right to remain ____________. Anything you say can be used __________

you in a court of law. You have the ______________ to talk to a lawyer. If you

_______________ afford one, a lawyer will be ________________ to you without cost.

In your own words, write how the Miranda rights help you.

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

66
Conversations

Conversation 1

Police Officer: Come with me, please.

Person 1: Am I under arrest?
Police Officer: No. I just want to ask you some questions.
Person 1: What’s this about?
Police Officer: There was a robbery yesterday.

Conversation 2

Police Officer: You are under arrest for murder.

Person 1: I didn’t kill anyone!
Police Officer: You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can
be used against you. . .
Person 1: But I didn’t kill anyone! It wasn’t me!
Police Officer: You have the right to a lawyer. If you cannot afford it, one will
be appointed for you. Do you understand?
Person 1: No, I don’t understand./ Yes, I understand.

NOTE: Do not say “Yes, I understand” if you do not understand.

It is important that you say you do not understand.
Never say to the police that you understand if you do not.
Ask for a translator.

Conversation 3

Person 1: I want a lawyer.

Police Officer: We’ll get you a lawyer, but it’ll be better for you if you just go ahead and
tell us what you know now.
Person 1: No, I want a lawyer.
Police Officer: Your lawyer’s on her way.
Person 1: Good.

Which conversation above includes the Miranda Rights? ______________________________

67
Some Definitions of Crimes

bank robbery steal money from a bank

home burglary take property from a house when no one
is home
automobile theft steal an automobile
murder kill someone
assault and battery beat someone up/fight
domestic violence threaten or hurt a spouse or
girlfriend/boyfriend
rape sexually assault someone
kidnapping steal a person
counterfeiting make fake money
manslaughter accidentally kill someone
vandalism damage property
arson start a fire

Something to Think About

What are the most common crimes in the city where you live? Put a check mark (√) in front of
the crimes you think happen a lot in your city. Talk with a partner about why you think this.

___ bank robbery ___ assault and battery ___ counterfeiting

___ home burglary ___ domestic violence ___ manslaughter

___ automobile theft ___ rape ___ vandalism

___ murder ___ kidnapping ___ arson

68
Word Work
Which words or phrases mean the same or nearly the same? Draw a line from Group A to words
in Group B that mean the same or nearly the same thing.

Group A Group B

remain silent without cost

attorney everything

freedom lawyer

free somebody

anything tennis shoes

someone say nothing, do not say anything

interrogate a good reason

probable cause ask questions

sneakers liberty

Pronunciation
Some Spelling Patterns for the er Sound

er ir ur ear

per Miranda murder learn

her first turn heard
never shirt burn early
matter sir hurt pearl
under stir turf
alert girl nurse

Some or Words:

York Ford born organize

fork Lord torn organ

69
Some Word Families
organize complain rob act stalk
organizing complaining robber actor stalking
organization complaint robbery acting stalker

On the Beat
o O o O o o O o o O
arrest Miranda rights under arrest
police the cookie jar what’s this about?
why not? a robbery it wasn’t me!
protect eye witnesses don’t understand
afford a court of law probable cause
remain ____________ you have the right
____________ ____________ ________________
____________ ____________ ________________

English Idioms
“hand in the cookie jar” -- to get caught doing something

He won’t be set free this time. We caught him with

his hand in the cookie jar.
There’s no doubt she did it. They found her with her
hand in the cookie jar.

Write a sentence with “hand in the cookie jar.”

___________________________________________________________________________

“off the record” -- not to be repeated or reported; don’t tell anyone who said it

He told me off the record that his boss had disobeyed the law.
I won’t say anything if you’re going to report what I say. I will only talk off
the record.

Write a sentence with “off the record.”

___________________________________________________________________________

70
Lesson 9: Filing a Complaint

71
Vocabulary

Words That Express Emotions

happy angry/mad indifferent

confused sad ecstatic

afraid annoyed silly

72
 To File a Formal Complaint
People must trust law enforcement officers. And law enforcement officers must trust people (the
public). Effective law enforcement requires this trust between people and the police.

American laws permit (allow) officers to use their best judgment to do their jobs well. At the
same time, the United States Constitution protects citizens from unfair treatment by officers.

If you think that an officer has treated you unfairly, you have the right to file a complaint against
the officer. You can complain orally—by speaking to a supervisor. Or you can complain in
writing. An oral complaint is an informal complaint. A written complaint is a formal
complaint. If you want to file a formal complaint, you must fill out and sign a formal complaint
form.

The police department will investigate the complaint. The investigation will help to correct any
improper behavior, if the officer was wrong. Or the investigation will prove that the officer did
do the right thing.

If the investigation shows that the officer was wrong, the officer will be disciplined. Discipline
can be to get counseling, an oral reprimand, a written reprimand, suspension from work, or
termination of employment. The Chief of Police will consider the seriousness of the complaint
and the officer’s past performance to decide the punishment.

Do not file a complaint just because you are mad at an officer. Only file a complaint if the
officer did something wrong to you. Do not tell a lie about a police officer. You must tell only
the truth in a complaint.

If you tell a lie (something that is false), you are committing a crime. It is against the law for
anyone to make a false complaint against an officer. If a person falsely accuses a police officer,
he or she may face civil action. It is a crime to file a false complaint.

Conversations
Conversation 1

Police Employee: Hello. May I help you?

Citizen: Yes. I have a complaint.
Police Employee: I’ll get a supervisor for you. One moment, please.

73
Conversation 2

Citizen: Hi. Who can I talk to about an officer?

Employee: Is this a complaint?
Citizen: Yes, it is. The officer was rude to me. I’m angry.
Employee: You can speak to a supervisor. Wait here, please.
I’ll find someone to take your complaint.
Citizen: Thank you.

Conversation 3

Supervisor: Hello. I’m Sergeant Smith.

Citizen: Hi. My name’s _______________.
I want to make a complaint about Officer White.
Supervisor: What happened?
Citizen: He stopped me when I was driving. He said I was
a bad driver and should not be driving. He said I
should be sent back to the country I came from.
Supervisor: Where and when did this happen?
Citizen: Yesterday at Garfield and Riggin Road. It was at
11:00 in the morning.
Supervisor: Would you like to make a formal complaint?
Citizen: No, I’d just like for you to speak to him about being rude.
Supervisor: I’ll check it out. Is there anything else?
Citizen: No, that’s all.

Conversation 4

Supervisor: I’m Sergeant Green. What can I do for you?

Citizen: Officer Black came to my house and searched it. But he
didn’t have a search warrant.
Supervisor: Did you tell him he could look around?
Citizen: No, I told him to come back when he had a warrant. But
he came in and looked around anyway.
Supervisor: Do you want to make a formal complaint?
Citizen: Yes, I do.

74
Writing Practice
A Complaint Form
Use the information from Conversation 3 to fill out the complaint form below. This is required if
the person wants to make a formal complaint. Use your own name and personal information.

POLICE DEPARTMENT
Personnel Complaint
Date/Time: _________________________ Complaint Number: __________________
Complainant’s Name: __________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________
Home Phone: _______________ Work Phone: __________________ Pager: ______________

Location of Occurrence: ________________________________________________________

Date/Time of Occurrence: _______________________________________________________
Officer(s) Involved: ____________________________________________________________
Witness Name: ________________________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________
Home Phone: ______________ Work Phone: ________________ Pager: _________________
Details of Allegation: ___________________________________________________________

You have the right to make a complaint against a police officer for any improper conduct. California law requires this
agency to have a procedure to investigate citizens’ complaints. You have a right to a written description of this
procedure. Citizen complaints must be retained by this agency for at least five years.

It is against the law to make a complaint that you know to be false. If you make a complaint against an officer
knowing that it is false, you can be prosecuted on a misdemeanor charge.

I have read and understand the above statement.

_______________________________ _________________________________
Complainant Signature Witness/Accepting Officer Signature

75
The Five W’s
Reports must usually answer five questions. The five questions begin with the letter w.

Who? What? Where? When? Why?

Use the report on the previous page to answer the five w’s.
1. Who made the complaint? _________________________________________________

Who is the complaint about? _______________________________________________

2. What is the complaint? ____________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

3. Where did the problem happen? ______________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

4. When did it happen? ______________________________________________________

5. Why is there a problem? _____________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Practice with a partner. Use the 5 w’s to ask about your partner’s day.

1. Where were you this morning?

2. Who did you see?
3. When did you come to class?
4. What did you do today?
5. Why do you study English?

Make up more questions that use the 5 w’s.

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

76
 Chain of Command
The Chain of Command is the order of who reports to whom. In a police department, the top
(highest) position is the Chief of Police. The bottom (beginning level) position is the Officer.

Chain of Command
An Organization Chart

Chief of Police

Captain

Lieutenant

Sergeant

Agent
(or Corporal, or Senior Officer)

Officer

A complaint against an officer should be filed with a supervisor.

A supervisor is someone with the rank of sergeant or higher.

There is always a “watch commander” at the station. A watch

commander is the person in charge of the police station. A
watch commander is someone who is a sergeant or higher.

77
Use the Chain of Command chart to fill in the blanks.

1. The sergeant reports to the _______________________________________________.

2. A senior officer is called an _______________________________________________.
3. The boss of the entire department is called the _________________________________.
4. The captain is the supervisor of the _________________________________________.

Check It Out
Find the name of the Chief of Police
in the city where you live. Write it here. _________________________________________

Word Work
Some Word Families

Verb (action): complain enforce investigate protect employ

Noun (a thing): complaint enforcement investigation protection employment
Noun (a person): complainant enforcer investigator protector employer

Other Words to Know

civil action - to be taken to court

false - not true
improper - not proper; not right
to reprimand - to rebuke, to tell one they did something wrong
to discipline - to punish
Internal Affairs - the police who investigate the police

Pronunciation
Some ways to spell the ar sound:

ar ear er
car heart sergeant
far
bar
Garfield

78
On the Beat
O o o O

permit permit
conduct conduct
warrant complain
letter discuss
action police
witness ____________
____________ ____________
____________ ____________
____________ ____________

An English Idiom
“John Hancock” - signature

(John Hancock was the first to sign

the Declaration of Independence.)

Just put your John Hancock right here.

Sign your John Hancock and the deal is done.

Write a sentence with “John Hancock.”

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

An English Phrase
“The pen is mightier than the sword.”

You’ll get better results by writing a complaint letter than by hitting the
man. The pen is mightier than the sword.

79
 APPENDIX
Critical information from the gray boxes
in the workbook are translated here in:

Spanish

Vietnamese

Chinese

80
Spanish
LECCION 1
(Lesson 1, Box 1)

Encuentro con la Policía

Algunas veces le parecera que el oficial es rudo. Cuando se acerca a usted no le dara un saludo
de manos. El oficial mantendra su distancia y cuidara de su arma con su brazo en lugar de
extenderlo y saludarlo. Esto es para asegurarse que no le quitaran su arma.

LECCION 2
(Lesson 2, Box 1)

Cuando la Policía Le Detiene

Cuando la Policía lo detiene al ir manejando, usted debera:

1. Moverse hacia el lado derecho del camino.

2. Estacióne su vehículo.
3. Apague el motor.
4. Mantengase sobre el volante.
5. Mantengase dentro del vehículo, y espere que el oficial se acerca a usted.

(Lesson 2, Box 2)

Si La Policía Le Da Una Boleta de Transito

Usted debera firmar el tickete (boleta).

Su firma no significa que usted esta de acuerdo con la boleta. No significa que admite que usted
es culpable. Usted puede hablar con el juez en la corte si esta en desacuerdo con la boleta.

81
 LECCION 3
(Lesson 3, Box 1)

Que Hacer en Caso de un Accidente

Cuando usted está involucrado en un accidente:
1. Tenga calma.
2. Muevan los vehículos a un lado de la calle (si no hay peligro)
3. Lláme a la policía para reportarlo
(Si hay héridos, márque al 911 priméramente)
(Si no hay héridos, lláme a la policía local)
4. Si no hay ningún problema, no haga ningún reporte.
5. Espere que llégue la policía.
6. Aléjese de las personas agresivas.
7. El oficial de pedira:
Licensia de conducir
Registro de su vehículo
Prueba de seguro de automovíl

Si el accidente involucra otro auto, escriba el número de la placa del coche. Si hay testigos del
accidente, pídales sus nombres y números de teléfono y escríbalos en un papel.

LECCION 4
(Lesson 4, Box 1)

Llámadas 911
Márque en su teléfono el 911 en caso de una emergencia. Una emergencia es cuando usted
necesita a la policía, la ambulancia, o los bomberos de inmediato, (ahorita mismo). Márque 911
cuando usted o alguien está en peligro.

En Monterey Park, la operadora del 911 sabra de donde está usted llamando. En algunas otras
comunidádes usted debera de decirle a la operadora de donde está llamando.

RECUERDE: el 911 es unicamente para emergencias. No marque 911 si no es una emergencia.

(Lesson 4, Box 2)

Si Usted Marca 911 Sin Querer

En muchas ciudades, si marca 911 erroneamente, la policía vendra a su casa. Aunque no
necesite ayuda, aún así debe dejarlos entrar a su casa. Ellos tienen que cerciorarse de que todos
estan bien y al terminar, se retiran.

82
 LECCION 5
(Lesson 5, Box 1)

Crimen
Un crimen es un acto que puede lastimar a otra persona, o a otra propiedád.

Cuando se cometió un crimen en contra de usted, o se da cuenta de que está sucediendo un

crimen, repórtelo a la policía. Si hay peligro y es una emergencia, márque el 911. Si no es de
peligro, lláme al teléfono regular de su policía local. Trata de recordar toda la información que
pueda acerca del crimen, que pasó, y quien fúe.

LECCION 6
(Lesson 6, Box 1)

Vigilancia en la Comunidád Detiene el Crimen

Los vecinos puedan trabajar juntos con la policía para ayudar a prevenir el crimen. Este
programa se llama ‘VIGILANCIA DE LA COMUNIDAD.’ Este es un programa de prevención
al crimen, esto depende de la participación activa de los ciudadanos para reducir el índice de
criminalidad. Si los vecinos trabajan en conjunto con un buen cuerpo policíaco esto hara una
excelente fuerza contra el crimen.

En la “Vigilancia en la Comunidad,” los vecinos se cuidan unos a otros. Aprenden a conocerse

mejor, y entre ellos cuidan de sus casas y reportan actividádes sospechosas a la policía.

LECCION 7
(Lesson 7, Box 1)

Qué Es Violencia Domestica

La violencia domestica se trata de poder y control. Son las acciónes que una persona usa en
contra de la otra persona en una relación. La violencia domestica puede ser criminal cuando
incluye:

• Abuso Físico (golpes, empujónes, etc.)

• Abuso Sexual (involuntario, actividád sexual forsada)
• Acoso (siguiendo a una persona constantemente)

83
 Otros Tips de Abuso
Algunos otros tipos de abuso son:

• Abuso Emocionál (apodos, subajando)

• Abuso Financiero (deteniendo el dinero, o evitando que consigas trabajo)

El abuso emocionál y financiero no son un crimen, pero puedan a llegar a crimen o violencia. El
abusador tratara de hacer cualquier excusa por el comportamiento, o culpar a la victima por
haber causado el crimen.

No hay excusa por un comportamiento violento. La violencia es contra la ley.

LECCION 8
(Lesson 8, Box 1)

La Ley Miranda
La policía tiene que tener una razón justa para arrestarle.

Si la policía le arresta, usted no tiene por que contestar a ningúna pregunta acerca del crimen. La
policía tiene que decirle que usted no tiene que contestar a ninguna pregunta acerca del crimen.
Ellos deben de notificarle que usted tiene el derecho de permanecer en silencio y de tener un
abogado presente cuando le entrevisten. Esto se llama LA LEY MIRANDA. Estos derechos se
le conceden unicamente cuando ha sido arrestado por un crimen y la policía le va a entrevistar.

Los derechos de la Ley Miranda son cuatro unicamente.

1. Usted tiene el derecho de permanecer en silencio (no necesita hablar).

2. Cualquier cosa que diga podra ser en contra de usted.
3. Tiene el derecho de hablar con un abogado antes y durante la entrevista.
4. Si no puede pagar un abogado y necesita uno, se le otorgara un abogado sin costo alguno.

84
 LECCION 9
(Lesson 9, Box 1)

Si Reporta Una Querella Formal

Los ciudadanos deben de confiar en la policía, y la policía debe de confiar en la gente o el
público. Una orden pública efectiva requiere la confianza entre la gente y la policía.

Las leyes Americanas permiten a oficiales policíacos a usar su propio criterio para poder hacer
un buen trabajo, y a la misma vez, la constitución de los Estados Unidos proteje a los ciudadanos
cuando han sido maltratados injustamento por la policía.

Si cree que la policía lo ha tratado injustamente, usted tiene el derecho de formar una queja en
contra del oficial. Usted puede formar la queja verbalmente ya sea hablando con el supervisor, o
someter una queja por escrito. Una queja hecha verbalmente es una queja informal. La queja
escrita es una queja formal. Si desea hacer una queja formal, usted debera llenar un formulario
para quejas.

El Departamento de Policía investigara su queja, y la investigación corregira cualquier

comportamiento impropio, si el oficial actuó incorrectamente, o, también probara que el oficial
estaba actuando correctamente.

Si la investigación muestra que el oficial no actuó bien, el oficial sera diciplinado. La diciplina
consiste en consejos, reprimenda verbal, reprimenda escrita, suspensión de su trabajo, o
terminación de su empleo. El Jefe de Policía actuara de acuerdo a la seriedád del caso y del
archivo del oficial.

No formule una queja nomás porque estý molesto con el oficial. Formule la queja unicamente
cuando el oficial fúe grocero con usted. Nunca mienta encontra de un policía. Siempre diga la
verdad cuando se trata de formalizar una queja.

Si usted miente, usted estara cometiendo un crimen. Es contra la ley levanter un falso contra un
oficial. Si la persona acusa falsamente a un oficial de policía, el o ella puede tomar un acción
civil en contra la persona. Es un crimen someter una queja falsa.

(Lesson 9, Box 2)

Linea de Comando
La linea de commando es la órden de quién reporta a quién. En el Departamento de Policía, el
puesto más alta es de Jefe de Policía. El puesto más baja es de Oficial de Policía.

85
Vietnamese
LESSON 1
(Lesson 1,Box 1)

Nhân Viên Cảnh Sát

Nhân viên Cảnh Sát thi hành luật lệ của Hoa Kỳ (Luật Liên Bang). Họ thi hành các điều luật tiểu
bang và điều luật của các quận hạt (county). Các Cảnh Sát viên cũng thi hành luật lệ của thị xã
và thành phố. Họ là một phần của lực lượng thi hành luật lệ quốc gia.
Có nhiều loại cảnh sát viên. họ mặc nhiều loại đồng phục khác nhau hay họ chỉ mặc thường
phục. Họ có thể là đàn ông hay đàn bà.
Tất cả Cảnh Sát viên cùng thi hành một nhiệm vụ. Họ muốn bảo đảm là luật lệ được thi hành và
dân chúng được an toàn.

(Lesson 1, Box 2)

Chào hỏi một Cảnh Sát Viên

Đôi khi một cảnh sát viên có vẽ hơi thô lỗ. Khi bạn tiếp xúc với một cảnh sát viên, người này có
thể không bắt tay bạn. Cảnh sát viên này “giữ khoảng cách” và đễ tay vào súng thay vì đưa tay ra
bắt. Việc này để giữ an toàn, và cũng để giữ cho không ai có thể cướp súng của cảnh sát.

LESSON 2
(Lesson 2, Box 1)

Khi Cảnh Sát viên chặn bạn lại

Khi bị nhân viên cảnh sát chặn lại trong lúc lái xe, bạn phải:
1. Dừng xe vào lề đường bên phải
2. Trả số xe về số đậu (park).
3. Tắt máy xe.
4. Để tay vào tay lái.
5. Ngồi yên trong xe. Chờ nhân viên cảnh sát đến với bạn.

(Lesson 2, Box 2)

Nếu Cảnh Sát viên cho bạn giấy phạt

Bạn phải ký tên vào giấy phạt.
Khi ký tên không có nghĩa là bạn đồng ý với giấy phạt. Không phải là bạn nhận lỗi. Bạn có thể
khiếu nại với vị thẩm phán tại tòa án nếu bạn không đồng ý với giấy phạt.

86
 LESSON 3
(Lesson 3, Box 1)

Cần phải làm gì khi gặp tai nạn

Khi gặp tai nạn:
1. Phải bình tỉnh.
2. Di chuyển xe ra khỏi đường xe chạy (nếu an toàn để làm điều này).
3. Gọi điện thoại cho cảnh sát tới làm biên bản.
(Nếu có người bị thương nặng, gọi số 9-1-1 trước.
Nếu không có ai bị thương nặng, gọi cho cảnh sát địa phương.)
4. Nếu không có thiệt hại gì, không cần phải làm biên bản.
5. Sau khi gọi cảnh sát, hảy chờ đó.
6. Tránh xa người đang giận giữ.
7. Cảnh sát sẻ cần xem các giấy tờ của bạn như:
• bằng lái xe
• giấy đăng bộ xe
• bằng chứng mua bảo hiểm
Nếu tai nạn có liên quan tới xe khác, ghi lại bảng số xe.
Nếu có nhân chứng trong tai nạn, xin và ghi lại tên và số điện thoại của họ.

LESSON 4
(Lesson 4, Box 1)

Gọi số 911
Chỉ gọi số điện thoại 911 khi nào có việc cứu cấp. Chuyện cứu cấp là khi bạn cần cảnh sát, xe
cứu thương, hay xe chữa lửa ngay lập tức ( liền tức thì). Gọi số 911 khi bạn hay người nào đó
trong tình trạng nguy hiểm.
Trong thành phố Monterey Park, nhân viên tổng đài 911 có thể biết được bạn gọi từ số điện thoại
nào. Trong một vài cộng đồng khác bạn phải cho nhân viên tổng đài 911 biết bạn đang ở đâu.
Nên nhớ: số 911 chỉ dùng trong trường hợp khẩn cấp mà thôi. Đừng gọi số 911 nếu không phải
là chuyện khẩn cấp

(Lesson 4, Box 2)

* Nếu bạn gọi lầm số 911

Trong vài thành phố, nếu bạn gọi lầm số 911, cảnh sát sẻ tới ngay nhà bạn- cho dù bạn không
cần đến sự giúp đỡ của họ. Bạn phải cho họ vào trong nhà bạn. Cảnh sát cần biết chắc là mọi
người đều được an toàn. Khi đó họ mới rời khỏi nhà bạn.

87
 LESSON 5
(Lesson 5, Box 1)

Tội phạm
Một tội ác là một hành động gây tổn hại đến một người hay tài sản của một ai.
Khi tội phạm xải ra đến cho bạn, hay bạn thấy tội phạm đang xải ra, báo cáo điều này cho cảnh
sát. Nếu có điều nguy hiểm và là chuyện khẩn cấp, gọi số 911. Nếu không có chuyện nguy hiểm,
gọi số điện thoại thường cho sở cảnh sát. Cố nhớ càng nhiều dữ kiện về tội phạm—chuyện gì
đang xải ra, ai làm điều này.

LESSON 6
(Lesson 6, Box 1)

Láng Giềng Theo Dõi ngăn chặn Tội phạm

Hàng xóm láng giềng cùng làm việc với cảnh sát giúp ngăn chặn được tội phạm. Chương trình
này được gọi là Neightborhood Watch ( Láng Giềng Theo Dõi). Đây là chương trình ngăn ngừa
tội phạm. Nó được ủng hộ và lệ thuộc vào các hành động đóng góp của người công dân đễ giảm
tội phạm. Những người láng giềng tốt hợp tác lẩn nhau cùng với một sở cảnh sát tốt sẻ tạo nên
một đội chống tội phạm hữu hiệu.
Trong chương trình Láng Giềng Theo Dõi, các người hàng xóm canh chừng lẩn nhau. Họ cần
làm quen với nhau. Họ canh chừng nhà lẫn cho nhau và báo cáo những hành động đáng nghi ngờ
cho cảnh sát.

LESSON 7
(Lesson 7, Box 1)

Bạo Hành Trong Gia Đình là gì

Bạo hành trong gia đình thường có liên quan đến quyền lực và quyền kiểm soát. Đó là một hành
động của một người dùng để kiểm soát một người khác có quan hệ với họ. Bạo hành trong gia
đình có thể coi như là một tội phạm nếu bao gồm một trong các điều sau đây.
• ngược đãi về thể xác (đánh đập, xô đẩy, lôi kéo v.v..),
• ngược đãi về tình dục (khi người khác không muốn, các hành động cưỡng ép tình
dục), hay
• theo dõi lén lút (thường xuyên di theo một ai)

88
 Các hình thức ngược đãi khác.
Vài hình thức ngược đãi khác là:
• ngược đãi về tinh thần (chữi rủa và làm nhục người khác), và
• ngược đãi về tài chánh (ngăn chặn tiền bạc hay là ngăn cản người khác tìm việc làm).
Ngược đãi về tâm lý và tài chánh không coi là một tội phạm, nhưng có thể dẫn tới
vi phạm ngược đãi và bạo hành. Một người gây ngược đãi thường tìm một lý do
để bào chữa cho hành động của hoặc là đổ thừa cho nạn nhân của họ.
Không có lý do gì để bỏ qua cho các hành động bạo hành. Sự bạo hành là vi phạm luật pháp.
Bất cứ ai cũng có thể là nạn nhân của bạo hành trong gia đình: người giàu có, người nghèo, già,
trẻ, có gia đình, độc thân, người da đen, da trắng, Á Đông, Châu Mỹ La Tinh, người Trung
Đông... tất cả mọi người.
Bất cứ ai cũng có thể là người gây ra ngược đãi. Phần đông người gây ngược đãi là đàn ông
(97%), nhưng đàn bà cũng có thể là người gây ngược đãi. Ngược đãi là một hành động có được
do thói quen lâu ngày. Điều này có thể ngăn chặn bằng việc điều trị và việc hướng dẫn tâm lý—
nếu người gây ngược đãi muốn.

LESSON 8
(Lesson 8, Box 1)

Quyền Miranda.
Cảnh sát phải có lý do chính đáng khi bắt bạn.
Nếu cảnh sát bắt bạn, bạn không cần phải trả lời câu hỏi về việc phạm pháp. Cảnh sát phải cho
bạn biết là bạn có quyền không cần phải trả lời câu hỏi về việc phạm pháp. Họ phải cho bạn biết
rằng bạn có quyền giữ im lặng và có luật sư hiện diện khi được thẩm vấn. Quyền này gọi là
Quyền Miranda. Quyền này chỉ được hưởng khi bị bắt về tội phạm và cảnh sát sẻ phải thẩm vấn
bạn.
Quyền Miranda cho phép bạn bốn việc.
1. Bạn có quyền giữ im lặng. (Bạn không cần phải nói gì cả.)
2. Bất cứ điều gì bạn nói có thể chống lại bạn tại tòa.
3. Bạn có quyền nói chuyện với luật sư trước và trong khi bị thẩm vấn.
4. Nếu bạn không có đủ tiền mướn luật sư và nếu bạn cần, một luật sư sẽ được chỉ định cho
bạn miễn phí.

89
 LESSON 9
(Lesson 9, Box 1)

Điền đơn khiếu nại

Người dân phải tín nhiệm vào nhân viên bảo vệ luật pháp. Và nhân viên bảo vệ luật pháp phải tín
nhiệm người dân (công chúng). Lực lượng bảo vệ luật pháp hữu hiệu cần có được sự tín nhiệm
giửa người dân và cảnh sát.
Luật Hoa Kỳ cho phép ( thừa nhận) cảnh sát viên dùng sự phán đoán của họ để có thể thi hành
nhiệm vụ được chu đáo. Đồng thời, Hiến Pháp Hoa Kỳ bảo vệ người dân trước các đối xử sai trái
của cảnh sát.
Nếu bạn nghĩ rằng một cảnh sát viên đã đối xử không đúng với bạn, bạn có quyền nộp đơn khiếu
nại cảnh sát viên này. Bạn có thể khiếu nại miệng- bằng cách nói chuyện với một người giám sát
viên. Hay có thể khiếu nại bằng văn thư. Khiếu nại miệng là một khiếu nại không chánh thức.
Khiếu nại bằng văn thư là một khiếu nại đúng thủ tục. Nếu bạn muốn khiếu nại, bạn phải điền và
ký tên vào một đơn khiếu nại chánh thức.
Sở Cảnh Sát sẽ điều tra về việc khiếu nại. Cuộc điều tra sẻ giúp sửa đổi các hành động sai trái,
nếu cảnh sát viên này có lỗi. Hoặc là cuộc điều tra sẽ chứng minh rằng cảnh sát viên ấy đã làm
dúng.
Nếu cuộc điều tra chứng tỏ rằng cảnh sát viên làm sai, cảnh sát viên này sẻ bị xử phạt. Việc xử
phạt này có thể là khiển trách miệng, khiển trách bằng văn thư, đình chỉ công tác, hay ngưng
chức cảnh sát viên này. Vị Chỉ Huy Cảnh Sát sẽ nghiên cứu sự nghiêm trọng của việc khiếu nại
và các quá trình làm việc của cảnh sát viên này cũng sẽ quyết định trong việc xử phạt.
Đừng bao giờ khiếu nại chỉ vì bạn giận ghét một cảnh sát viên. Chỉ nên khiếu nại nếu cảnh sát
viên này làm điều gì sai trái với bạn. Đừng bao giờ nói dối về một cảnh sát viên. Chỉ nên nói sự
thật trong một đơn khiếu nại.
Nếu bạn nói dối (nói điều không đúng sự thật), là bạn đã phạm tội. Việc khiếu nại không đúng về
một cảnh sát viên là vi phạm luật pháp. Nếu một người tố cáo gian dối về một cảnh sát viên,
người này có thể sẻ bị xử phạt dân sự. Việc tố cáo không gian dối là một tội phạm.

(Lesson 9, Box 2)

Giây Chuyền chỉ Huy

Giây chuyền chỉ huy là một thứ tự trước sau phải theo khi một người cần phải báo cáo việc gì đó
cho người nào khác. Trong một sở cảnh sát, cấp bậc trên cùng (cao nhất) là vị cảnh sát trưởng.
Cấp bậc dưới cùng là nhân viên cảnh sát.

90
Lesson 1

警察
警察執行美國法律(聯邦法律)。他們也執行州政府法、縣政府及城鎮法律。他們是美國執
法系統的一部份。

警察分不同的類型。他們穿著不同的警服，有的穿便服，有男警及女警。

所有的警察都執行相同的任務。他們要確保人人都遵守法律並保障人民的安全。

向警察打招呼
有些時候警察似乎並不怎麼友善。跟你會面時，未必會與你握手。他會與你「保持距離」
並把手放在配槍上，不伸出來跟你打招呼。這純粹是為了安全著想，因為這樣才能確定沒
有人會奪走他的配槍。

Lesson 2

當警察攔截你的時候

你在駕駛當中被警察攔截下來時，應當要：
1. 慢慢將車駛至馬路右邊。
2. 把車停下來。
3. 將車熄掉。
4. 把雙手放在駕駛盤上。
5. 留在車裡，等候警察到你這邊來。

如果警察給你一張違規通知單
你必須在違規通知單上簽名。

你的簽名並不代表你同意或承認你的過錯。如果你覺得那張違規通知單有不合理的
地方，你可以在法庭上向法官申訴。
Lesson 3

發生交通意外時，你應如何處理？
如果你發生交通意外時：

1. 要保持冷靜。
2. 和激動的人保持距離。
3. 把車移開馬路(在情況安全之下)。
4. 打電話向警察報案(如果沒有太大的問題，不必打電話給警察)。
• 如果有嚴重受傷，即刻打 9 11。
• 如果沒有嚴重的受傷事件，通知當地警察局即可。
5. 報警之後，留在現場等候。
6. 警察要看你的：
• 駕駛執照
• 汽車登記證
• 保險證明文件

如果與其他車輛發生交通意外，要把對方的汽車牌照號碼紀錄下來。

如果現場有任何目擊證人，千萬別忘了把他們的名字及電話號碼寫下來。

Lesson 4

911 電話
有緊急事件發生時，用你的電話打 911。所謂緊急狀況，就是你立刻需要警察、救
護車、或救火車到現場(即刻)。如果你或他人遇到危險時，撥 911。

在蒙特利公園市，911 的接線生能夠從你打來的電話知道你在哪裡。在某些社區，
你必需要告訴 911 接線生你的位置在何處。

請記住：911 只能在緊急情況下使用。如果情況不是很危急，不要撥 911。

*如果你意外地撥了 911
在很多城市，如果你不小心撥了 911，警察依舊會到你家裡來—就算你並不需要協助。
你必須讓他們進入屋內。警察會確定每個人均安然無恙後才會離去。
Lesson 5

犯罪
犯罪就是當一個人的行為傷害到他人或是危害到他人的財產。

如果你遇上犯罪事件或目擊到一件正在進行中的罪行，立即向警察報案。如果情勢危險或
緊急，就打 911。如果情況不危急，打一般的警局報案電話號碼就行了。盡可能地記下該
罪行的資料，愈多愈好—例如事件發生過程及犯案者是誰。

Lesson 6

鄰居守望相助，防止犯罪
鄰居之間同心協力和警察合作，能有效遏止罪案發生。這項計劃稱之為
「鄰居守望相助」。這是一個防治犯罪的計劃。該計劃有賴市民的參與
來減少犯罪。善良的鄰居再加上良好的警察部門，組合成一隊優秀的打
擊犯罪隊伍。

在「鄰居守望相助」裡，鄰居們大家互相照應，彼此認識對方，照顧對
方的家園，並向警察報告任何可疑的活動。
Lesson 7

什麼是家庭暴力？
家庭暴力和權力及支配有關。在某種相處關係裡，一方利用這種行為去控制
對方。如果家庭暴力涉及以下幾點，該行為即可構成罪行，如：

• 肉體上的虐待(打、推、撞等)
• 性虐待(非意願的、暴力的性行為), 或
• 跟蹤 (不停地跟隨某人)

其他類型的虐待

一些其他不同類型的虐待有：

• 精神上的虐待 (不文雅的稱呼及貶低地位)，及
• 經濟上的虐待(不給予金錢或阻止對方找工作)

精神上和經濟上的虐待並不是一種犯罪行為。但是這些行為能導致實
質上的虐待和暴力。一位虐待者往往會為自己的行為找藉口，或者會
怪罪是受害人引起的。

暴力行為是沒有藉口的。暴力就是違法。

每個人都可能成為家庭暴力下的受害者：無論貧富老少、已婚未婚、黑人白
人、亞裔、拉丁裔、中東裔—任何人皆然。

任何人都可能是虐待者。大部分的施虐者為男性 (97%), 但女性也有可能是施

虐者。虐待是一種學習而來的行為。透過治療及諮商，這種行為會停止—只
要他願意改變。
Lesson 8

人權法
警察必須要有「充分的原因」(一個令人信服的理由)來逮捕你。

如果警察真的逮捕了你，你無須回答任何關於該案的問題。警察必須要告訴你：你
不一定要回答任何關於該案的問題。他們也必須要告訴你：你有權保持緘默及當他
們向你盤問時，你有權要求你的律師在現場。這就是「人權法」。
這些權利只適用於當你因案被捕之後，警察準備盤問你時。

「人權法」告訴你四樣事情：

1. 你有權保持緘默。 (你不一定要說話。)
2. 你所說的任何事情在法庭上可作為對你不利的證詞。
3. 在盤問之前或盤問當中，你都有權要求與律師交談。
4. 如果你無法負擔聘請律師而又希望有律師來代表你，一位律師將會免費地提供
給你。
Lesson 9

提出一份正式投訴

市民必須要信任執法者，而執法者也必須要信任市民大眾。要有效地執行法令必須仰賴廣
大市民與警察之間的互相信任。

美國的法令允許警務人員運用其個人最好的判斷能力去做好他們的工作。同樣地，美國的
憲法也保障市民免遭警務人員的不公平待遇。

如果你認為有警員對你有不公平的待遇，你有權針對該位警員提出投訴。你可以用口頭上
的投訴—直接告訴該位警員的上司；或者，利用書面投訴。口述的投訴屬於非正式的投
訴。一份以書寫的投訴才屬於正式的投訴。你必須要填寫一份正式的投訴表格，並簽上姓
名。

警察部門會去調查投訴事件。如果該名警員真的有作錯的地方，該項調查工作有助於改進
一些不適當的行為。相反地，這項調查也可以證實該名警員的作為是對的。

如果調查結果顯示該名警員確實有不對的地方，該警員將會受到內部處分。懲罰方式可能
是接受輔導、口頭申誡、書面懲戒、暫時停職、甚或遭到解僱。警察局局長會考慮投訴事
件的嚴重性和該警員平時的工作表現而決定如何處罰。

不要因為你生某位警員的氣而去投訴。你只能在該位警員對你作錯事的情況下提出投訴。
千萬不可對某位警員提出不實的指控。在投訴書裡，你必須據實以告。

在投訴書裡說謊是犯罪的行為。任何人對警員提出不實的投訴均是犯法的。一位對警員提
出不實投訴的人將會面對民事起訴。提出一份不實的投訴是項罪行。

按級呈遞

按級呈遞就是誰向誰報告的次序。在警察部門裡，最高職位的是「警察局長」。最低職
位(剛開始的階級)是「警員」。