Lexington Police Change Spanish Program LEXINGTON (WEKU) - There have been modifications in the Advanced Language Program set up for Lexington's police officers. Their police chief hopes it will soon return to its original format.

Police Chief Ronnie Bastin played a key role in developing a Spanish language program. Besides lessons in language, the immersion program also offers insights into Mexican culture. Some 50 officers have traveled to Mexico where they lived with a Spanish-speaking family and interacted with area police. But, the program has been suspended over the last year due to street violence in parts of Mexico.

"Obviously the last thing we would want to do is expose some of our personnel to unnecessary risks that we're seeing down there as a result of some of the drug wars and cartel wars," Bastin said.

Bastin said a good relationship has been formed with families and police officials in Morelia, Mexico. He said starting somewhere else would mean starting again from scratch. The Lexington police chief said about 20% of his officers can converse in Spanish. Classroom Spanish instruction continues in Lexington. Another class begins in early September.

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