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“How Do You Say “Help!” in English?” 4 Activities for Teaching English

for Police Officers
Pick-pockets. Purse snatchers. Scam artists.Unfortunately, these are some of the
included risks when we travel. Fortunately, police are the people you can go to
for help when these incidents happen. Communication is of the utmost
importance when it means getting your money returned safely, so teaching
English for specific purposes (ESP) for police officers is a significant job!
Here are some activities to help police officers learn English.

How to Teach Police Officers Effectively

1. 1
Eye Witness GameEye Witness Game
Many times, police officers need to rely on victims’ descriptions of the criminals to
assist them.Many times, police officers need to rely on victims’ descriptions of the
criminals to assist them. This means police officers need to be able to understand
adjectives and descriptive phrases very clearly. One way to do this is to divide
your students in half: half will be the police officers and half will be the victims.
Ask all of the police to leave the room, and show the remaining students a
picture of the “criminal.” Alternatively, you could show them a short video clip of
a purse snatching in action to give students practice describing the event that
happened. Only show the  This means police officers need to be able to
understand adjectives and descriptive phrases very clearly. One way to do this
is to divide your students in half: half will be the police officers and half will be
the victims. Ask all of the police to leave the room, and show the remaining
students a picture of the “criminal.” Alternatively, you could show them a short
video clip of a purse snatching in action to give students practice describing the
event that happened. Only show the videovideo once to make it as realistic as
possible. Bring the students assigned to the police back in the room and assign
each police officer to a victim. The police officer must take notes carefully and
ask prompting questions to get as good of a description of the suspect as
possible. When all pairs have finished, put a “line-up” on the computer screen of
6 potential criminals, only one of which is the same individual that you showed to
the victims. Give each suspect a number to make identification easier. Making
sure your victims don’t give away the answer to their police officers, and ask the
police officers to write down the number of the person they think committed the
crime. once to make it as realistic as possible. Bring the students assigned to
the police back in the room and assign each police officer to a victim. The police
officer must take notes carefully and ask prompting questions to get as good of a
description of the suspect as possible. When all pairs have finished, put a “line-
up” on the computer screen of 6 potential criminals, only one of which is the
same individual that you showed to the victims. Give each suspect a number to
make identification easier. Making sure your victims don’t give away the answer
to their police officers, and ask the police officers to write down the number of
the person they think committed the crime.

As an alternative to this activity, keep all of your students in the room and work
on an unrelated activity, for example, writing incident reports. Arrange for a
friend or fellow teacher (make sure it’s someone the students don’t already
know) to run into the room and steal something from your desk. Ensure that your
students are surprised when it happens! After the “thief” leaves the room, split
the students into pairs and have them take turns asking questions to each other
about the incident that they were all witnesses to. Have them write down as
 much information as possible about the thief. When they are done, share the
answers as a class to come up with a single description. When you’ve compiled
a class description, bring your friend back into the room to see how accurate
their eyewitness accounts were. If they missed several details (which statistics
say they likely would get several details wrong), use this to springboard into a
conversation about the reliability (or unreliability) of eyewitness accounts and
how they should take this into account when working.As an alternative to this
activity, keep all of your students in the room and work on an unrelated activity,
for example, writing incident reports. Arrange for a friend or fellow teacher (make
sure it’s someone the students don’t already know) to run into the room and
steal something from your desk. Ensure that your students are surprised when it
happens! After the “thief” leaves the room, split the students into pairs and have
them take turns asking questions to each other about the incident that they were
all witnesses to. Have them write down as much information as possible about
the thief. When they are done, share the answers as a class to come up with a
single description. When you’ve compiled a class description, bring your friend
back into the room to see how accurate their eyewitness accounts were. If they
missed several details (which statistics say they likely would get several details
wrong), use this to springboard into a conversation about the reliability (or
unreliability) of eyewitness accounts and how they should take this into account
when working.

2. 22
PaperworkPaperwork
A large part of police work is the paperwork.A large part of police work is the
paperwork. Whether it’s helping new residents get a residency permit or
documenting a  Whether it’s helping new residents get a residency permit or
documenting a crimecrime, police officers need to know how to communicate
one on one to achieve various goals. Police officers need to be prepared for
individuals with limited English along with native English speakers, so try to
prepare them with a variety of accents. Practice role plays to help students get
 used to speaking with foreigners who need to accomplish a specific task, like
apply for residency or report a crime. Create generic forms to give students
practice filling in the paperwork., police officers need to know how to
communicate one on one to achieve various goals. Police officers need to be
prepared for individuals with limited English along with native English speakers,
so try to prepare them with a variety of accents. Practice role plays to help
students get used to speaking with foreigners who need to accomplish a specific
task, like apply for residency or report a crime. Create generic forms to give
students practice filling in the paperwork.

3. 33
Listening for Tones of VoiceListening for Tones of Voice
When working with distraught individuals, the tone of voice and quality of English
can change, making listening more complicated.When working with distraught
individuals, the tone of voice and quality of English can change, making listening
more complicated. When you  When you practice listeningpractice listening,
make sure you do a variety of tones to practice hearing and recognizing emotion
through intonation. Bear in mind this may vary culture to culture, so give your
students the broadest practice possible in listening to different tones. Visit
YouTube to find different videos with varying tones of voice. Have students listen
and do dictations for what they hear, or take notes to get the gist of the situation.
Also, a key part of this practice would be identifying the emotion they hear in the
voice., make sure you do a variety of tones to practice hearing and recognizing
emotion through intonation. Bear in mind this may vary culture to culture, so give
your students the broadest practice possible in listening to different tones. Visit
YouTube to find different videos with varying tones of voice. Have students listen
and do dictations for what they hear, or take notes to get the gist of the situation.
Also, a key part of this practice would be identifying the emotion they hear in the
voice.
The best way to listen and comprehend different tones is to produce them. Have
your students practice reading dialogues varying only the tone of their voice to fit
a specific context. For example, take a rather neutral dialogue like the
following:The best way to listen and comprehend different tones is to produce
them. Have your students practice reading dialogues varying only the tone of
their voice to fit a specific context. For example, take a rather neutral dialogue
like the following:

o A: Good afternoon.A: Good afternoon.

B: Hi. How are you?B: Hi. How are you?
o A: Fine, thanks. And you?A: Fine, thanks. And you?
B: I’ve been busy, but good.B: I’ve been busy, but good.
o A: Well, it was nice talking to you. See you later.A: Well, it was nice talking
to you. See you later.
B: Same to you. Goodbye.B: Same to you. Goodbye.

Now, give students a context to practice this dialogue. For example, you could
have two police officers who haven’t seen each other in a while, a tourist and a
shopkeeper, a suspected criminal and a police officer, two people who vaguely
remember each other but they’re not sure from where, one person has just lost
their wallet and they’re looking for it while the other person is distracting them,
etc... The focus of this activity is not on the words that are being said, but how
they’re being said and varying the intonation and emotion in conversation. After
students have mastered this, apply these different tones to potential role plays
that police officers will likely encounter.Now, give students a context to practice
this dialogue. For example, you could have two police officers who haven’t seen
each other in a while, a tourist and a shopkeeper, a suspected criminal and a
police officer, two people who vaguely remember each other but they’re not sure
from where, one person has just lost their wallet and they’re looking for it while
the other person is distracting them, etc... The focus of this activity is not on the
words that are being said, but how they’re being said and varying the intonation
and emotion in conversation. After students have mastered this, apply these
different tones to potential role plays that police officers will likely encounter.
4. 44
Role PlaysRole Plays
Although a standard practice in any classroom, role plays have a special role in
ESP classrooms.Although a standard practice in any classroom, role plays have a
special role in ESP classrooms. Role plays simulate the environment that your
students will be entering for their job, so make them as realistic as possible.
Consider doing the following role plays for police officers: Role plays simulate
the environment that your students will be entering for their job, so make them
as realistic as possible. Consider doing the following role plays for police
officers:

o A person who has just been robbedA person who has just been
robbed
o Interviewing a suspected thiefInterviewing a suspected thief
o Questioning eyewitnessesQuestioning eyewitnesses
o Notifying family members of an accidentNotifying family members of
an accident
o Filling out paperwork for someone applying for a resident’s
permitFilling out paperwork for someone applying for a resident’s permit
o Pulling a tourist over for speedingPulling a tourist over for speeding
o Asking to see someone’s passportAsking to see someone’s
passport
o Giving directions to someone who is lostGiving directions to
someone who is lost

English for PoliceEnglish for Police

These pages from our These pages from our English for WorkEnglish for
Work series cover language needed by police officers in an English-speaking
context. series cover language needed by police officers in an English-
speaking context.
 As a police officer you have one
of the most important jobs in the world: to serve and protect the people. While
you are fighting crime and handling emergencies you probably come across
many English speakers. Some may commit crimes, while others may be
victims of crime. In both cases, you need to ask and answer questions in
English. Your job may also require you to speak to English witnesses. Time
can be a key factor in solving a crime or saving a life. You cannot always wait
for an interpreter. These pages will help you learn vocabulary and phrases that
will be useful when you encounter English speakers. Do the exercises and
take the quizzes to test your knowledge and understanding.

In English the word In English the word policepolice is a collective noun. We

usually treat it as plural and say, for example:  is a collective noun. We usually
treat it as plural and say, for example: The police  The
police  areare  coming.  coming. The words  The
words policemanpoliceman or  or policewomanpolicewoman can be singular
or plural, for example:  can be singular or plural, for example: The
policeman  The policeman  isis  asking questions. Three policewomen    asking
questions. Three policewomen  areare  coming  coming

Police VocabularyPolice Vocabulary

This page from our This page from our English for PoliceEnglish for
Police section lists language that police need in an English-speaking context.
Each word is shown with its contextual meaning and an example
sentence. section lists language that police need in an English-speaking
context. Each word is shown with its contextual meaning and an example
sentence.

After reviewing this vocabulary, you may like to try our After reviewing this
vocabulary, you may like to try our police vocabulary quizpolice vocabulary
quiz..

vocabularyvocabulary meaningmeaning example sentenceexample sentence

part of speechpart of
speech

arrestarrest take into police controltake into My partner My partner arrestedarrested the

verbverb police control man who set fire to the building. the man
who set fire to the building.

assailantassailant person who assaults or Did you see the Did you see
nounnoun attacksperson who assaults or the assailantassailant run away? run away?
attacks

at large, on the looseat not caught, running freenot I'm afraid that the man who robbed the bank
large, on the loose caught, running free is still I'm afraid that the man who robbed
the bank is still at largeat large..

armed and is carrying a weapon and has a Do not approach the thief if you see him. He
dangerousarmed and violent backgroundis carrying a is considered Do not approach the thief if
dangerous weapon and has a violent you see him. He is considered armed and
adjectivesadjectives background dangerousarmed and dangerous..

back-upback-up police that are called in to We're calling for We're calling for back-
nounnoun support or helppolice that are upback-up now that we know she has a
called in to support or help gun. now that we know she has a gun.
bailbail large amount of money that Your husband's Your husband's bailbail is
nounnoun someone pays as a promise to posted at $20,000. is posted at $20,000.
appear in courlarge amount of
money that someone pays as a
promise to appear in cour

baton, night stickbaton, heavy stick that police use for No, we don't carry guns. We only have No,
night stick controlling crowds or defending we don't carry guns. We only
nounnoun themselvesheavy stick that have batonsbatons..
police use for controlling crowds
or defending themselves

bookbook  sbysby register someone as a We're taking your brother down to the station
verbverb criminalregister someone as a to We're taking your brother down to the
criminal station to bookbook him. him.

break intobreak into enter a residence, car, or Do you have any idea who would have Do
verbverb business illegallyenter a you have any idea who would have broken
residence, car, or business intobroken into your car? your car?
illegally

burglarburglar a person who breaks into a We think the We think the burglarburglar got

nounnoun home or business and steals in through your chimney. got in through your
itemsa person who breaks into a chimney.
home or business and steals
items

cellcell individual room in a jail or We'll have to keep you in a We'll have to keep
nounnoun prisonindividual room in a jail or you in a cellcell until someone comes to pay
prison your bail. until someone comes to pay your
bail.

convictconvict a person who is doing (or Please be aware that there is a Please be
nounnoun supposed to be doing) jailtimea aware that there is a convictconvict on the
person who is doing (or loose. on the loose.
supposed to be doing) jailtime

cop, coppercop, copper police officer (police officer Did somebody here call the Did somebody
nounnoun (common slangcommon slang)) here call the copscops??

criminal recordcriminal a file that lists all of the crimes a We don't allow anyone with a We don't allow
record person has committeda file that anyone with a criminal recordcriminal
nounnoun lists all of the crimes a person record into our country. into our country.
has committed

crime scenecrime the place where a crime Please stay outside the yellow tape. This is
scene happenedthe place where a a Please stay outside the yellow tape. This is
nounnoun crime happened a crime scenecrime scene..

cruiser, squad police carpolice car Please step out of your vehicle and get into
carcruiser, squad car the police Please step out of your vehicle
nounnoun and get into the police cruisercruiser..

(in) custody(in) custody under police controlunder police You will be happy to know that we have
nounnoun control taken the kidnapper into You will be happy to
know that we have taken the kidnapper
into custodycustody..

DUI, DWIDUI, DWI driving after drinking too much Your record says that you have two
alcoholdriving after drinking too previous Your record says that you have two
much alcohol previous DUIsDUIs..
(Driving Under the Influence,
Driving While Intoxicated)
(Driving Under the Influence,
Driving While Intoxicated)
detectivedetective police officer responsible for The The detectivedetective is going to ask
nounnoun solving crimepolice officer you a few questions about the man's
responsible for solving crime appearance. is going to ask you a few
questions about the man's appearance.

do timedo time receive punishment for a crime You won't be required to You won't be
verb + nounverb + noun by spending time in jailreceive required to do any timedo any time but you
punishment for a crime by will have to pay a fine. but you will have to
spending time in jail pay a fine.

domestic argument/trouble in the We've had a number of calls reporting

disputedomestic home(often leads to a We've had a number of calls reporting
dispute violence)argument/trouble in the a domestic disputedomestic dispute in your
home(often leads to violence) hotel room. in your hotel room.

escapeescape get away from a holding If you try to If you try to escapeescape we
verbverb placeget away from a holding will have to restrain you with handcuffs. we
place will have to restrain you with handcuffs.

felonyfelony a major crime (e.g. murder)a Murder is considered a Murder is considered

nounnoun major crime (e.g. murder) a felonyfelony and is punishable by life in
prison. and is punishable by life in prison.

finefine money that a person pays for You can get charged a large fine for You can
nounnoun breaking a lawmoney that a get charged a large fine
person pays for breaking a law for speedingspeeding in a school zone. in a
school zone.

fingerprintsfingerprints marks left by fingers that We're going to have to check your personal
nounnoun identify a personmarks left by belongings for We're going to have to check
fingers that identify a person your personal belongings
for fingerprintsfingerprints..
firearmsfirearms weapons that shootweapons It is illegal to carry unregistered It is illegal to
nounnoun that shoot carry unregistered firearmsfirearms such as
rifles and pistols. such as rifles and pistols.

ganggang a group of people often Stay away from this area at night as there is
nounnoun associated with crime and a lot of Stay away from this area at night as
drugsa group of people often there is a lot of ganggang activity. activity.
associated with crime and drugs

guiltyguilty responsible for a crime, You will be considered innocent until you are
adjectiveadjective deserving of proven You will be considered innocent until
punishmentresponsible for a you are proven guiltyguilty..
crime, deserving of punishment

handcuffshandcuffs metal rings that attach to wrists We put your boyfriend in We put your
nounnoun to keep criminals (or the boyfriend in handcuffs,handcuffs, because
accused) from escapingmetal we saw him climbing through your window
rings that attach to wrists to and thought he was an intruder. because we
keep criminals (or the accused) saw him climbing through your window and
from escaping thought he was an intruder.

innocentinnocent not responsible for the crimenot We'll believe you are We'll believe you
adjectiveadjective responsible for the crime are innocentinnocent when you show us
your receipt for the items in the bag. when
you show us your receipt for the items in the
bag.

intruderintruder a person who enters a home or Someone called to report an Someone called
nounnoun business illegallya person who to report an intruderintruder on the third
enters a home or business floor. on the third floor.
illegally

jail, prisonjail, prison a place where criminals The guards will be patrolling the The guards
nounnoun are confineda place where will be patrolling the prisonprison all day
criminals are confined long. all day long.

misdemeanormisdemeanor a minor crime Stealing a road sign is considered a Stealing

nounnoun (punishment is usually a a road sign is considered
fine or less than one year a misdemeanormisdemeanor,but is
in jail)a minor crime punishable by a large fine.,but is punishable
(punishment is usually a by a large fine.
fine or less than one year
in jail)

noise complaintnoise a call to the police to Two of your neighbours have made a Two of
complaint complain of disturbing your neighbours have made a noise
noise (usually music or a complaintnoise complaint tonight. tonight.
party)a call to the police to
complain of disturbing
noise (usually music or a
party)

partnerpartner another officer that a I'm going to get you to tell your story to
nounnoun policeman drives and my I'm going to get you to tell your story to
works withanother officer my partnerpartner..
that a policeman drives
and works with

patrolpatrol observe and protect an We always We always patrolpatrol the

verbverb areaobserve and protect downtown core on the weekends. the
on patrolon patrol an area downtown core on the weekends.

perpetratorperpetrator person who committed The The perpetratorperpetrator is still at

nounnoun the crimeperson who large. is still at large.
committed the crime
pickpocketpickpocket a thief who steals from Beware of Beware
nounnoun people's pockets in transit of pickpocketspickpockets on the
or in crowdsa thief who subway. on the subway.
steals from people's
pockets in transit or in
crowds

pistolpistol a hand held firearma hand Our local cops carry Our local cops
nounnoun held firearm carry pistolspistols but rarely use them. but
rarely use them.

pursuitpursuit the act of searching forthe We are in We are in pursuitpursuit of a man
nounnoun act of searching for in a green jacket and orange pants. of a man
in a green jacket and orange pants.

radarradar radio wave transmission According to our According to

that helps police track our radarradar you were driving well above
cars and map crime the speed limit. you were driving well above
scenesradio wave the speed limit.
transmission that helps
police track cars and map
crime scenes

robberyrobbery theft; taking something We have twenty officers investigating the

nounnoun that does not belong to bank We have twenty officers investigating
you, often with forcetheft; the bank robberyrobbery..
taking something that
does not belong to you,
often with force

speeding ticketspeeding a fine given to a driver who Your license shows a clean driving record
ticket gets caught driving except for one Your license shows a clean
beyond the speed limita driving record except for one speeding
fine given to a driver who ticketspeeding ticket from five years
 gets caught driving ago. from five years ago.
beyond the speed limit

stealsteal to take something that Do you know who Do you know

verbverb does not belong to youto who stolestole your wallet? your wallet?
take something that does
not belong to you

street crimestreet crime crime such as drugs and Don't give the beggars any money. You will
nounnoun prostitutioncrime such as only be promoting Don't give the beggars
drugs and prostitution any money. You will only be
promoting street crimestreet crime..

thiefthief somebody who We have found the We have found

nounnoun stealssomebody who the thiefthief who stole your car. who stole
steals your car.

walkie-talkiewalkie-talkie hand held radio each My partner told me your license plate over
nounnoun partner carrieshand held his My partner told me your license plate
radio each partner carries over his walkie-talkiewalkie-talkie..

wantedwanted being searched for by A man from your hotel is A man from your
policebeing searched for hotel is wantedwanted for his involvement in
by police a murder. for his involvement in a murder.

witnesswitness to see something Three people Three

verbverb happento see something people witnessedwitnessed the murder but
happen they are afraid to speak. the murder but they
are afraid to speak.

young offender, juvenile a minor who commits a Your punishment will be less severe
delinquentyoung offender, crime (usually under age because you are a Your punishment will be
juvenile delinquent of 18)a minor who less severe because you are a young
commits a crime (usually offenderyoung offender..
under age of 18)

Police Vocabulary QuizPolice Vocabulary Quiz

You can do this quiz You can do this quiz onlineonline or  or print itprint it on

paper. It's based on our  on paper. It's based on our police vocabulary
pagepolice vocabulary page, part of our , part of our English for PoliceEnglish
for Police section. section.

1. The opposite of guilty is1. The opposite of guilty is

 arrested arrested
 innocent innocent
 wanted wanted

2. An _______ is a person who enters a house or business illegally.2. An _______

is a person who enters a house or business illegally.

 intruder intruder
 offender offender
 officer officer

3. Some misdemeanors are punishable by paying a3. Some misdemeanors

are punishable by paying a

 patrol patrol
 fine fine
 radar radar

4. The person a police officer works closest beside every day is his or her4.
The person a police officer works closest beside every day is his or her
 offender offender
 convict convict
 partner partner

5. Dealing drugs behind a restaurant is an example of a5. Dealing drugs

behind a restaurant is an example of a

 pickpocket pickpocket
 back-up back-up
 street crime street crime

6. When a man commits a felony he gets taken into police6. When a man
commits a felony he gets taken into police

 custody custody
 gangs gangs
 squad squad

7. Another word for "theft" is7. Another word for "theft" is

 felony felony
 stolen stolen
 robbery robbery

8. In order to prevent a criminal suspect from escaping, police use8. In order

to prevent a criminal suspect from escaping, police use

 handcuffs handcuffs
 perpetrators perpetrators
 fingerprints fingerprints

9. One of the first things detectives do at a crime scene is check for9. One of
the first things detectives do at a crime scene is check for

 cruisers cruisers
 fingerprints fingerprints
 felonies felonies
10. Convicted offenders can be fined or given a _______ sentence.10.
Convicted offenders can be fined or given a _______ sentence.

 jail jail
 cell cell
 bail bail
1. innocent

2. intruder

3. fine

4. partner

5. street crime

6. custody

7. robbery

8. handcuffs

9. fingerprints

10. jail

Crime and Punishment - English for PoliceCrime and Punishment

- English for Police
This page from our This page from our English for PoliceEnglish for Police section covers language police
need when talking about crimes and punishments in an English-speaking context. section covers
language police need when talking about crimes and punishments in an English-speaking context.

A A crimecrime is a serious offence such as murder or robbery. A  is a serious offence such as
murder or robbery. A punishmentpunishment is a penalty imposed on somebody who is
convicted of a crime. A punishment could be, for example, time in prison or a fine. is a penalty
imposed on somebody who is convicted of a crime. A punishment could be, for example, time in
prison or a fine.

There is an important difference between There is an important difference between criminal

lawcriminal law and  and civil lawcivil law. Criminal law deals with matters such as robbery or murder
for which people can go to jail. Civil law deals with matters such as business contracts or divorce. The
police are not normally involved in civil law.. Criminal law deals with matters such as robbery or murder
for which people can go to jail. Civil law deals with matters such as business contracts or divorce. The
police are not normally involved in civil law.
Example SentencesExample Sentences
Questions from law-breakers or suspected criminalsQuestions
from law-breakers or suspected criminals
 Why did you pull me over?Why did you pull me over?

 Have I done something wrong?Have I done something wrong?

 Is this illegal?Is this illegal?

 What are my rights?What are my rights?

 Can I call a lawyer?Can I call a lawyer?

 Where are you taking me?Where are you taking me?

 Can I make a phone call?Can I make a phone call?

Questions police may ask a suspected criminalQuestions police

may ask a suspected criminal
 Are you carrying any illegal drugs?Are you carrying any illegal drugs?

 Do you have a weapon?Do you have a weapon?

 Does this belong to you?Does this belong to you?

 Whose car is this?Whose car is this?

 Where were you at eight last night?Where were you at eight last night?

Informing someone of laws and police proceduresInforming

someone of laws and police procedures
 You are under arrest.You are under arrest.

 Put your hands on your head.Put your hands on your head.

 I am taking you to the police station.I am taking you to the police station.

 Please get in the police car.Please get in the police car.

 You will have to pay a fine for this.You will have to pay a fine for this.
  I will give you a warning this time.I will give you a warning this time.

 I'm going to write you a ticket.I'm going to write you a ticket.

 We'll tow your car to the station.We'll tow your car to the station.

 Smoking in restaurants is illegal in this country.Smoking in restaurants is illegal in this country.

 It is against the law to do drugs in public.It is against the law to do drugs in public.

Types of crimeTypes of crime

crimecrime definitiondefinition

abduction/ kidnappingabduction/ taking a person to a secret location using forcetaking a person to a secret
kidnapping location using force

armed robberyarmed robbery using a weapon to stealusing a weapon to steal

arsonarson setting fire to a place on purposesetting fire to a place on purpose

assaultassault hurting another person physicallyhurting another person physically

attempted murderattempted trying to kill someone (but failing)trying to kill someone (but failing)
murder

burglary,burglary, going into another person's home or business with forcegoing into another
breaking and enteringbreaking person's home or business with force
and entering

child abusechild abuse injuring a child on purposeinjuring a child on purpose

domestic violencedomestic physical assault that occur within the homephysical assault that occur within
violence the home

drug traffickingdrug trafficking trading illegal drugstrading illegal drugs

drunk drivingdrunk driving driving after having too much alcoholdriving after having too much alcohol

fraudfraud lying or cheating for business or monetary purposeslying or cheating for

business or monetary purposes

hijackinghijacking holding people in transit hostage (usually on a plane)holding people in transit

hostage (usually on a plane)

murder/ homicidemurder/ taking someone's life through violencetaking someone's life through violence
homicide

shopliftingshoplifting stealing merchandise from a storestealing merchandise from a store

smugglingsmuggling bringing products into a country secretly and illegallybringing products into a
country secretly and illegally

speedingspeeding driving beyond the speed limitdriving beyond the speed limit

terrorismterrorism acts of crime against a group (political/religious) or another countryacts of

crime against a group (political/religious) or another country

thefttheft stealingstealing
torturetorture extremely cruel and unfair treatment (often towards prisoners)extremely
cruel and unfair treatment (often towards prisoners)

vandalismvandalism damaging public or private property (for example with spray paint)damaging
public or private property (for example with spray paint)

white collar crimewhite collar breaking the law in businessbreaking the law in business
crime

Types of punishmentTypes of punishment

punishmentpunishment definitiondefinition
(example offence)(example offence)

traffic tickettraffic ticket leaves marks on driving record/involves paying a fineleaves

(speeding, parking)(speeding, parking) marks on driving record/involves paying a fine

license suspensionlicense suspension driving rights are removed for a certain period of timedriving
(drunk driving)(drunk driving) rights are removed for a certain period of time

finefine pay money as punishment for minor/petty crimepay money as

(hunting out of season)(hunting out of season) punishment for minor/petty crime

house arresthouse arrest remain in one's home for a certain period of timeremain in one's
(a young offender who is waiting to go to home for a certain period of time
court)(a young offender who is waiting to go to
court)
community servicecommunity service do volunteer work such as teaching children about crime or
(a youth that steals a car for the first time)(a cleaning up garbagedo volunteer work such as teaching children
youth that steals a car for the first time) about crime or cleaning up garbage

jail timejail time spend a certain amount of months or years locked away from
(man who assaults his wife)(man who assaults societyspend a certain amount of months or years locked away
his wife) from society

life in prisonlife in prison spend the rest of one's life in prison with no chance of going
(a woman who commits homicide)(a woman back into societyspend the rest of one's life in prison with no
who commits homicide) chance of going back into society

Crime and Punishment QuizCrime and Punishment Quiz

You can do this quiz You can do this quiz onlineonline or  or print itprint it on

paper. It's based on our  on paper. It's based on our crime and punishment
vocabulary pagecrime and punishment vocabulary page, part of our , part of
our English for PoliceEnglish for Police section. section.

What crime is being committed in each of these cases?What crime is being

committed in each of these cases?

1. A thief goes into your house through a window.1. A thief goes into your
house through a window.

 fraud fraud
 burglary burglary
 vandalism vandalism

2. A child steals a chocolate bar from a store.2. A child steals a chocolate bar
from a store.
 assault assault
 child abuse child abuse
 shoplifting shoplifting

3. A car is driven faster than the limit.3. A car is driven faster than the limit.

 speeding speeding
 drunk-driving drunk-driving
 trafficking trafficking

4. An American dealer sells cocaine to a Canadian buyer.4. An American

dealer sells cocaine to a Canadian buyer.

 theft theft
 smuggling smuggling
 drug trafficking drug trafficking

5. A guard refuses to give a prisoner food or water unless the prisoner gives
up information.5. A guard refuses to give a prisoner food or water unless the
prisoner gives up information.

 abduction abduction
 torture torture
 hijacking hijacking

6. A police officer shoots and kills an unarmed teenager who refused to obey
him.6. A police officer shoots and kills an unarmed teenager who refused to
obey him.

 murder murder
 terrorism terrorism
 assault assault

7. A person throws a lit match into a building and it catches fire.7. A person
throws a lit match into a building and it catches fire.
 arson arson
 burglary burglary
 domestic violence domestic violence

8. A terrorist group takes over an airplane and changes its course.8. A terrorist
group takes over an airplane and changes its course.

 vandalism vandalism
 trafficking trafficking
 hijacking hijacking

9. A man regularly assaults his wife and children.9. A man regularly assaults
his wife and children.

 homicide homicide
 domestic violence domestic violence
 abduction abduction

10. A dishonest lawyer charges a client for more hours of work than he really
did.10. A dishonest lawyer charges a client for more hours of work than he
really did.

 burglary burglary
 armed robbery armed robbery
 fraud fraud

1. burglary

2. shoplifting

3. speeding

4. drug trafficking

5. torture

6. murder

7. arson

8. hijacking
9. domestic violence

10. fraud

Asking for Identification (ID) and Information - English for

PoliceAsking for Identification (ID) and Information - English for
Police
This page from our This page from our English for PoliceEnglish for
Police section covers language needed by police seeking IDs and information
in an English-speaking context. section covers language needed by police
seeking IDs and information in an English-speaking context.
Example SentencesExample Sentences

 May I see some photo ID?May I see some photo ID?

 Can I see your passport?Can I see your passport?

 Driver's license, please.Driver's license, please.

 Do you have your birth certificate?Do you have your birth certificate?

 How long have you been in the country?How long have you been in the
country?

 Are you here for a holiday?Are you here for a holiday?

 Do you have another piece of ID?Do you have another piece of ID?

ID is different in every countryID is different in every country

It is important to keep in mind that every country requires different

documentation that proves someone's identification (ID). In many countries
such as Greece and Spain a national It is important to keep in mind that every
country requires different documentation that proves someone's identification
(ID). In many countries such as Greece and Spain a national ID cardID card is
compulsory. Citizens are expected to have these cards on them at all times.
However, in other countries ID cards are not required. Police and officials in
these countries often use another system to identify people, such as asking
for two pieces of ID. is compulsory. Citizens are expected to have these cards
on them at all times. However, in other countries ID cards are not required.
Police and officials in these countries often use another system to identify
people, such as asking for two pieces of ID.

Types of IDTypes of ID

 PassportPassport

 Government-issued Photo ID cardGovernment-issued Photo ID card

 Driving licence/Driver's licenseDriving licence/Driver's license

 Birth certificateBirth certificate

 Permanent residence cardPermanent residence card

 Social security cardSocial security card

 Medical/Health cardMedical/Health card

 Voter registration cardVoter registration card

Information/security items that may appear on

documentationInformation/security items that may appear on documentation

wordword meaningmeaning

bar codebar code a series of thick and thin black lines that holds computerized
informationa series of thick and thin black lines that holds
computerized information
date of birth (DOB)date of birth (DOB) date when the ID holder was born:date when the ID holder
was born:
day/month/year: 23/05/1970 (23rd May
1970)day/month/year: 23/05/1970 (23rd May 1970)
month/day/year: 05/23/1970 (23rd May
1970)month/day/year: 05/23/1970 (23rd May 1970)
year/month/day: 1970/05/23 (23rd May
1970)year/month/day: 1970/05/23 (23rd May 1970)

date of issuedate of issue date when documentation was createddate when

documentation was created

eye coloureye colour blue, brown, green, black, greyblue, brown, green, black, grey

fingerprintfingerprint markings of a person's thumb or finger tip markings of a

person's thumb or finger tip 

heightheight how tall a person is in centimetres or feet and incheshow tall

a person is in centimetres or feet and inches

hologramhologram a laser photograph which makes a picture or image look life-

likea laser photograph which makes a picture or image look
life-like

magnetic stripemagnetic stripe a long black stripe found on the back of a card that can be
swiped into a computer for informationa long black stripe
found on the back of a card that can be swiped into a
computer for information

maiden namemaiden name a woman's surname before marriagea woman's surname

 before marriage

marital statusmarital status single, married, divorced (no longer married), separated,
common law wife, common law husbandsingle, married,
divorced (no longer married), separated, common law wife,
common law husband

national statusnational status citizenship (native citizen, immigrant, landed immigrant,

permanent resident, refugee)citizenship (native citizen,
immigrant, landed immigrant, permanent resident, refugee)

photographphotograph recent picture of ID holderrecent picture of ID holder

place of birthplace of birth city, country where ID holder was borncity, country where ID
holder was born

professionprofession current job (doctor, teacher, retired)current job (doctor,

teacher, retired)

serial number or PIN (Personal number that can be entered into government systems to find
Identification Number)serial number or information about a personnumber that can be entered into
PIN (Personal Identification Number) government systems to find information about a person

sexsex M (male), F (female)M (male), F (female)

signaturesignature hand-written name of ID holderhand-written name of ID

holder
valid until, expiry datevalid until, expiry the last date when an ID document can be usedthe last date
date when an ID document can be used

Reading Exercise: Identity FraudReading Exercise: Identity Fraud

Try this reading exercise about identity fraud:Try this reading exercise about
identity fraud:

1. read the vocabularyread the vocabulary

2. try to fill in the blankstry to fill in the blanks

3. check your answercheck your answer

wordword meaningmeaning

ID fraudID fraud lying about one's identitylying about one's identity

counterfeitcounterfeit fake, not realfake, not real

illegal immigrantsillegal people who do not have government permission to live or work in a
immigrants countrypeople who do not have government permission to live or work in
a country

crack down oncrack down on to put a real stop toto put a real stop to

authenticauthentic real, truereal, true

identity theftidentity theft stealing someone else's identity for personal use (or sale)stealing
someone else's identity for personal use (or sale)
undergroundunderground not publicly known, usually illegalnot publicly known, usually illegal

getting away withgetting not getting caught by police or the authoritiesnot getting caught by police
away with or the authorities

controversycontroversy disagreement surrounding an issuedisagreement surrounding an issue

Today, Today,  is a major concern for police around the world. Many young

people use  is a major concern for police around the world. Many young

people use  ID to access adult venues, such as concerts and nightclubs. As

police find new ways to  ID to access adult venues, such as concerts and

nightclubs. As police find new ways to  fake ID (e.g. searching the Internet

for  fake ID (e.g. searching the Internet for  companies), new technology is

created to help make fraudulent ID look  companies), new technology is

created to help make fraudulent ID look . ID cards with security measures,

such as magnetic strips and barcodes, help to prevent people from . ID cards

with security measures, such as magnetic strips and barcodes, help to prevent

people from  fake ID. However, an even greater problem for police is the
concern of  fake ID. However, an even greater problem for police is the

concern of . Some thieves make a profession out of stealing wallets, purses,

or personal mail in order to sell new identities to criminals or . Some thieves

make a profession out of stealing wallets, purses, or personal mail in order to

sell new identities to criminals or . There is great . There is great  over whether

or not all countries should opt for national ID cards. Some people do not think

that the police should have access to such personal information, while others

think it would help to prevent crime and illegal immigration over whether or

not all countries should opt for national ID cards. Some people do not think

that the police should have access to such personal information, while others

think it would help to prevent crime and illegal immigration

 BusyTeacher.orgBusyTeacher.org

Stop Right There!: ESP for Police OfficersStop Right There!: ESP for
Police Officers
Teaching English for Specific purposes can sometimes be a difficult task,
however it does not always need to be.Teaching English for Specific purposes
can sometimes be a difficult task, however it does not always need to be.
There are some useful tips which teachers can use in order to make it easier on
themselves. When teaching ESP it is always important to remember that your
students will usually have a basic grasp of the English language and they simply
need to learn specific English that relates to their fields. Police officers are the
hands of the law, and their duty is to serve and protect the people. As police
officers, in English speaking countries or elsewhere, you will come across people
who only speak English, typically tourists or retirees. Sometimes, getting
information is the key and will help to solve a crime more quickly and your
students may not always have time to wait for an interpreter. Today we will talk
about some phrases and roleplaying activities you can use to help your students
become more fluent. I will also give you some excellent vocabulary resources for
teaching English to police officers.There are some useful tips which teachers can
use in order to make it easier on themselves. When teaching ESP it is always
important to remember that your students will usually have a basic grasp of the
English language and they simply need to learn specific English that relates to
their fields. Police officers are the hands of the law, and their duty is to serve and
protect the people. As police officers, in English speaking countries or elsewhere,
 you will come across people who only speak English, typically tourists or retirees.
Sometimes, getting information is the key and will help to solve a crime more
quickly and your students may not always have time to wait for an interpreter.
Today we will talk about some phrases and roleplaying activities you can use to
help your students become more fluent. I will also give you some excellent
vocabulary resources for teaching English to police officers.
How to Teach Police Officers: Phrases and Roleplaying
ActivitiesHow to Teach Police Officers: Phrases and Roleplaying
Activities

1. 11
Pulling People OverPulling People Over
One of the most common things that police officers will do when on car patrol or
speed patrols will be to pull people over for various traffic offences.One of the most
common things that police officers will do when on car patrol or speed patrols will
be to pull people over for various traffic offences. You can work through some
roleplaying exercises with them where you pretend to be the driver who was
pulled over and have them approach the car correctly. They will normally have
training that teaches them the proper etiquette for pulling someone over and you
can have them bring in the training manual given to them and work on the
phrases given in the book. There are some phrases that will come in handy such
as the ones listed below. You can work through some roleplaying exercises with
them where you pretend to be the driver who was pulled over and have them
approach the car correctly. They will normally have training that teaches them
the proper etiquette for pulling someone over and you can have them bring in
the training manual given to them and work on the phrases given in the book.
There are some phrases that will come in handy such as the ones listed below.

1. Have you been drinking tonight?Have you been drinking tonight?

2. Do you know why I pulled you over?Do you know why I pulled you
over?
3. Is this a rental car?Is this a rental car?
 4. Do you know the speed limit in this part of town?Do you know the
speed limit in this part of town?
5. You are You are driving downdriving down a one way street. a
one way street.
6. You ran a red light.You ran a red light.
7. Why are you not wearing your seatbelt?Why are you not wearing
your seatbelt?
8. I am going to have to give you a ticket, which you can pay at the
police station or city hall.I am going to have to give you a ticket, which you
can pay at the police station or city hall.

2. 22
Interrogation and Solving CrimesInterrogation and Solving Crimes
Another excellent roleplaying exercise which you can use to involve the students
and get them to practice their English and deductive skills, will be to solve a mock
crime.Another excellent roleplaying exercise which you can use to involve the
students and get them to practice their English and deductive skills, will be to solve
a mock crime. For a great sample, check out  For a great sample, check
out http://www.cyberbee.com/whodunnit/crimescene.htmlhttp://www.cyber
bee.com/whodunnit/crimescene.html..

You can assign roles to different people, then have a team of your police
students solve the crime. The roles of witnesses will be assigned to some
students and you can have the police team question the witnesses and figure
out “who done it.” Some questions you can encourage them to ask are listed
below along with sample answers. You should also encourage them to ask any
other questions they may feel like they need to ask to solve the crime.You can
assign roles to different people, then have a team of your police students solve
the crime. The roles of witnesses will be assigned to some students and you can
have the police team question the witnesses and figure out “who done it.” Some
questions you can encourage them to ask are listed below along with sample
answers. You should also encourage them to ask any other questions they may
feel like they need to ask to solve the crime.
 1. Did you see what they were wearing?Did you see what they were
wearing?
a. Yes, the 3 of them had on black ski masks, brown pants, and white t-
shirts.a. Yes, the 3 of them had on black ski masks, brown pants, and
white t-shirts.
2. Did they have any weapons?Did they have any weapons?
a. Yes, they all had big machine guns and one of them had a knife.a. Yes,
they all had big machine guns and one of them had a knife.
3. What kind of car did they escape in?What kind of car did they
escape in?
a. They were driving a black pickup but I do not know what kind; and I saw
the first couple numbers of the license plate. They were 34f5.a. They were
driving a black pickup but I do not know what kind; and I saw the first
couple numbers of the license plate. They were 34f5.
4. Did you see any distinguishing marks?Did you see any
distinguishing marks?
a. Yes. One man was missing his thumb on his right hand, the second man
had some scars on his arms, and the third guy had a huge tattoo of a
dragoon on his whole right arm.a. Yes. One man was missing his thumb
on his right hand, the second man had some scars on his arms, and the
third guy had a huge tattoo of a dragoon on his whole right arm.
5. Do you know if their weapons were loaded?Do you know if their
weapons were loaded?
a. They definitely were because they shot their guns a couple times.a.
They definitely were because they shot their guns a couple times.

3. 33
Helping TouristsHelping Tourists
Police officers are also very commonly regarded as people who are trustworthy to
talk to and reliable when it comes to getting information from them.Police officers
are also very commonly regarded as people who are trustworthy to talk to and
reliable when it comes to getting information from them. For this reason, tourists
will often ask police officers for directions and for information about other things
and problems they may have encountered. It is important that you let your
students know about this and have them prepare for it by doing some simple
roleplaying exercises with answering questions that tourists may ask. It is also
 important that they are fluent when it comes to giving directions to local hotels,
landmarks, embassies, etc... Some questions they may encounter are: For this
reason, tourists will often ask police officers for directions and for information
about other things and problems they may have encountered. It is important that
you let your students know about this and have them prepare for it by doing
some simple roleplaying exercises with answering questions that tourists may
ask. It is also important that they are fluent when it comes to giving directions to
local hotels, landmarks, embassies, etc... Some questions they may encounter
are:

1. I am lost. Do you know how I can get to the Grand Plaza shopping
mall?I am lost. Do you know how I can get to the Grand Plaza shopping
mall?
2. Do you know where I can find the British embassy or consulate?Do
you know where I can find the British embassy or consulate?
3. Who can we trust to change money with?Who can we trust to
change money with?
4. I lost my wallet, what should I do?I lost my wallet, what should I do?
5. A thief just stole my purse, please help me.A thief just stole my
purse, please help me.

4. 44
Getting ID’sGetting ID’s
Police officers will often need to ask for some form of identification so it is
important that you teach them about the different types of identification card they
may encounter, especially if they work somewhere with many tourists since every
country has their own forms of identification. Police officers will often need to ask
for some form of identification so it is important that you teach them about the
different types of identification card they may encounter, especially if they work
somewhere with many tourists since every country has their own forms of
identification. In some countries, people will carry a social security card, or a In
some countries, people will carry a social security card, or a driver’s
licensedriver’s license, while in others people are required to use a national ID
card, and in other countries, people will need to carry their voter’s registration
 cards. Some of the useful questions that you should teach your students include
the following:, while in others people are required to use a national ID card, and
in other countries, people will need to carry their voter’s registration cards. Some
of the useful questions that you should teach your students include the following:

1. May I see your passport please?May I see your passport please?

2. Can I have your driver’s license and car registration? (if pulling
someone over)Can I have your driver’s license and car registration? (if
pulling someone over)
3. Are you here on holiday? How long have you been here?Are you
here on holiday? How long have you been here?
4. Do you have another form of identification?Do you have another
form of identification?
5. Can I see some form of photo identification?Can I see some form of
photo identification?

5. 55
VocabularyVocabulary
It is very important to remember that when you are teaching ESP that there will
always be vocabulary lists that you will need to assign to your students.It is very
important to remember that when you are teaching ESP that there will always be
vocabulary lists that you will need to assign to your students.