Police told to speak English

BANTEN, West Java: Police officers will have to speak English twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, Antara reported Saturday.

Quoting police chief Col. Yusuf Sudradjat, the news agency said the English-speaking hours were from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

A teacher has been selected to facilitate the program.

"Banten police will face greater challenges in the future because of the coming free trade era. Police have to be able to communicate in the international language," Yusuf said.

"If something happens out there involving foreigners, our officers would then be able to handle things," he said. (swe)