Orlando police to launch Portuguese Speaking Citizen Police Academy
The Orlando Police Department is welcoming people in the community to join its newly created Portuguese Speaking Citizen Police Academy.
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The Brazilian Consulate and Brazilian Chamber of Commerce estimate there are 200,000 Brazilians living in Central Florida -- nearly 60,000 of whom live in Orange County and 30,000 of whom live in Orlando.
Because of the large Brazilian population, Orlando police created a Citizen Police Academy for those who speak Portuguese in Central Florida.
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Brazilians are a huge part of the fabric of Central Florida.
They are in politics, law enforcement and even in journalism.
Channel 9′s Raphael Pires is Brazilian and grew up in Orlando. He said he has watched the community grow.
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Many Brazilian-owned businesses have popped up along International Drive over the years, including Camila’s Restaurant, which has been an Orlando staple for 30 years.
“Brazilian neighborhoods are also throughout Orange County -- from Windermere, Winter Garden to Metro West.” said Marcos Kachy, the restaurant’s manager. “You go to Windermere, there’s a lot of Brazilians. You go to Winter Garden, there’s a lot of Brazilians. (You go to) Metro West, there’s a lot of Brazilians.”
The area along International Drive between Kirkman Road and the Orlando International Premium Outlets has become somewhat of a Brazilian district.
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Orlando police Detective Fabio Azevedo, who is also Brazilian, joined the Orlando Police Department 10 years ago.
Azevedo said Orlando police Chief Eric Smith’s desire is to make sure police are connecting with the Brazilian community.
He said that is why the agency will launch the citizens police academy for Portuguese speakers.
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Azevedo said Smith hopes the program will help bridge the language and cultural barriers.
“By doing things like this I feel like it’s going to bring us much, much closer to the Brazilian community,” he said.
Azevedo said he believes that by connecting with Portuguese-speaking citizens, they will feel more comfortable in calling the police.
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The Portuguese Speaking Citizen Police Academy will begin Aug. 8.
It will meet every Tuesday for five weeks. Click here to sign up.
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