Is accent a problem?

[Ari77]

Sir/ Ma'am,

I am a Neutralized American Citizen, however, English is my third language and I was wondering if my accent would be a problem to join the MSP?

Thank you!

[MP_Steve]

Sir/ Ma'am,

I am a Neutralized American Citizen, however, English is my third language and I was wondering if my accent would be a problem to join the MSP?

Thank you!

To the best of my understand, and someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I've been under the impression that one must clearly speak, read and write English prior to employment with most law enforcement agencies.

MSP? Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Maryland or Minnesota? :confused:

[Kimble]

I am a Neutralized American Citizen, however, English is my third language

I think you mean "naturalized."

[Ari77]

Yes, I meant NATURALIZED, thank you for correction! I do speak, write and read clearly... well, everyone makes typo errors once in a while. My question was having an accent! Thanks for your reply!

[taylorplayer]

Ari - Which state do you want to be MSP in?

Accent shouldn't be a problem as long as you are understood. If your spoken English is not understandable, you may have a problem in the oral board, and on the street. Hopefully your other 2 languages are useful in this field.

[MP_Steve]

Yes, I meant NATURALIZED, thank you for correction! I do speak, write and read clearly... well, everyone makes typo errors once in a while. My question was having an accent! Thanks for your reply!

I didn't even notice that error. I was just making a generalization.

Speaking clearly to be understood I imagine would be a requirement. If that's the ONLY concern you had, and there is nothing in your background, and you meet the minimum requirements, I don't see why you couldn't at least apply.

[Ari77]

Michigan State Police. I have some CJ college classes, so hopefully my english will be good enough for the board

Thank you for your reply.

[taylorplayer]

If the accent is your only "issue", then go ahead and apply. You most likely won't have a problem if you have no issues communicating with others.

[Ari77]

I am waiting for civic exam date, and I will have to reschedule it as I am currently overseas...suporting my husband who servers in the military!

[Ari77]

Oh, just to brag how good my english is, I was chosen to transalte for the President of the US of A once!

Cheers

[Group9]

To the best of my understand, and someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I've been under the impression that one must clearly speak, read and write English prior to employment with most law enforcement agencies.

MSP? Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Maryland or Minnesota? :confused:

I don't know. I worked in the New Orleans area for years and some of those cajun cops' accents were just about as close to gibberish as anything I ever saw.

We put one up in a spotter plane on a surveillance one day because he knew the area. It would have worked great if anyone on the ground could have understood a single thing he said. :D

[Ari77]

I cannot say how many times I had to translate from english to english! It is all fun tho, as long as there is no life and death situation!

[Samuel]

Mixing up Neutralize and Naturalize is NOT a "typo". IF you can clearly communicate (i.e. to your partners, the public, etc) under stressful conditions (not uncommon for people to revert back to native tongue), then languange shouldn't be a problem. IF...

[Samuel]

It is all fun tho, as long as there is no life and death situation!

That's exactly what I'm talking about. Native English speakers often have trouble communicating/articulating under extreme stress - much more difficult for non-native speakers, especially if English is your THIRD language...

[Ari77]

Well, I can tell you I speak to my kids in english at all times! And, if you have any , you should know how stressful they can be!

Thanks for your reply.