(SIOUX CITY, IA) One issue police faced in this homicide case - a language barrier. Investigators had trouble communicating with the southeast Asian man who called 911. Sioux City Police are working to break down the barrier.

"Language barriers are something that we come across on a very regular basis. It has increased more so than it was in the past," says Lt. Mark Kirkpatrick, Sioux City Police Department.

When Sioux City Police officers can't communicate with people at the scene of an incident, it makes their job even harder.

"Anytime you have that language barrier, it's difficult because you don't get a first-hand account of what exactly has happened or what somebody saw," says Lt. Kirkpatrick.    

Officers usually try to find a translator like a friend or family member, but those with bilingual skills have an advantage.

"We have officers on the department that speak a variety of different languages. We even have an officer that is multi-lingual and skilled in sign language as well," says Lt. Kirkpatrick.
   
In tense or rapidly evolving situations, the ability to communicate effectively and quickly is imperative.

"Language barrier can be a real hindrance to that but we find a lot of times that body language speaks far more than the spoken word many times," says Lt. Kirkpatrick.

For those looking to break into the field, breaking down barriers is a good first step.
  
"Bilingual skills, multi-lingual skills are always an asset to anybody that applies to the police department. It's somewhat of a rigorous process at any rate so, so any of those extra skills that you can bring with you are certainly advantageous," says Lt. Kirkpatrick.

Police officers receive regular language training locally and nationally to learn commands and general requests in other languages. The most common languages spoken in Sioux City: English, Spanish, Laotian, and Vietnamese. 

Reported by Erika Thomas. You can contact her at ethomas@kmeg.com.