Polish language course for police

Police officers are taking language lessons to help them communicate with Cumbria's growing Polish community.

The 10-week course has been specifically tailored for the police to ensure they learn appropriate conversational language.

It has been designed by the county council's multicultural service, which promotes racial harmony.

Initially, 11 officers and PCSOs will take part, but if successful there will be further course in the future.

Pc Julie Dodd, diversity officer for North Cumbria, said: "We have indentified the need for officers to speak conversational Polish to break down barriers and forge positive links with our Polish community.

"By improving our ability to communicate we hope to improve the policing service we can offer the community."