A local Spanish television channel showed a Metro Police Officer, David Cienega pandering to illegal immigrants. The following are excerpts (translated verbatim) from the segment.

Verbatim Translation

Metro Officer David Cienega (shown on screen in a Metro Police Department uniform speaking fluent Spanish):  "The Civil Hispanic Academy is held every Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m.  The course is a duplicate of the course taught in English titled "Citizen's Academy" and was formed for Spanish-speaking persons. We don't care if you are here LEGALLY OR ILLEGALLY.  We (Metro) will consider them LEGAL CITIZENS because they are here now and we are going to treat them as such."

The reporter:  "According to the authorities, what the police department (Metro) is looking for is to breach the language gap through the means of education."

David Cienega, Metro Officer:  "We want to help them so they will feel that they are part of society here by educating them, letting them know their rights..."

This is outrageous that a statement like this is made by Metro Police officials over Spanish-speaking television.  Since when is it Metro's job to EDUCATE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS---and state that, "We don't care if you are here legally or illegally."  I always thought policemen were supposed to ENFORCE OUR LAWS!

A very concern Hispanic-American citizen made the following comment: “With the crime problems we currently have here in Las Vegas, maybe these officers would be better deployed in the streets of Las Vegas INSTEAD of trying to educate ILLEGAL ALIENS?”

When did it become the job of Metro Police Officers to ENCOURAGE AND PANDER TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS and what happen to the other immigrant that speak other languages other than Spanish. If Metro intent is to “help” Spanish speaking immigrants understand public safety are they (Metro) providing this courses to other illegal immigrants in other languages or are they discriminating them by excluding them.

This is unacceptable that such a program is taking place at TAXPAYER EXPENSE. Or is this “very caring” officer providing this training as a community service on his own time?

This news segment should be AIRED ON THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING NEWS CHANNELS so that everyone would know what is going on in Las Vegas NOT JUST THOSE THAT SPEAK SPANISH!!!