How languages changed my life:
For PC Rina Varghese, being able to speak multiple languages was always something to be celebrated and in her role as a Police Officer she is able to better engage with the diverse range of communities we serve here in Northumbria Police.
Originally from Watford she travelled to Southern India as a child for her initial education and from here began to develop her multilingual skills.
Following our education, my parents decided to permanently relocate to Kerala, in southern India in the early eighties.
The local language was Malayalam and having already studied Tamil, I found also learning Malayalam difficult, but stuck with it to further develop my communication skills.
PC Varghese also learnt Hindi and has been able to communicate with people speaking Urdu whilst volunteering with organisations where she has provided support to people unable to communicate in English, including victims of crime.
Relocating back to the UK in 2014, I found speaking these languages, especially Hindi and Malayalam quite beneficial, particularly when dealing with people.
The satisfaction of being there at the right time with the right language skills has made me realise how helpful this tool is to those particularly vulnerable as a result of being unable to communicate or express themselves.
I believed my language skills could be put to optimum use to those communities who needed a robust service in terms of communication with the police. It helps us reach out to those communities, engage with them in a language they understand and feel supporting hearing and provide them the service they need.
Having these extra skills and additional languages contributes towards breaking down barriers with different communities and leads to effective community engagement. This in turn promotes community cohesion, welfare, advancing the much desired confidence and trust with Northumbria Police – a Force truly diverse in serving its diverse communities.
Do you speak other languages? Could you help police our fantastic communities? Then visit our careers website for more information on all the amazing opportunities to join us: https://careers.northumbria.police.uk/
PC Rina Varghese
