You hear it on the phones, you see it in advertisements; the need to speak both Spanish and English in America is becoming greater.

The Dothan Police Department has three bilingual officers who speak both English and Spanish, and assist officers regularly.

"Hoy es 9 de Julio, ano 2008 en la ciudad de Dothan, Alabama. Tambien caliente aqui hoy," says Corporal Peter Nunez. "Today is the ninth of July, 2008, and it's very hot today," he translates.

Nunez was brought up speaking both Spanish and English. Officers say he is a great asset to the department in times like these.

"The victim, if it's a victim, or a person involved in an accident don't feel so out of place, like the officer doesn't understand or doesn't listen to them because they don't understand what they are trying to say or explain," says Nunez.

Corporal Nunez says the amount of times he's called out varies.

He says some months he will get called regularly, where others it's rare.

However, not everyone thinks it should be the officers’ place to learn another language.

Thirty-eight-years ago, Herb Siber came to the United States as an immigrant. Today, he's an American citizen.

He says everyone should, if they want to work or live in the U.S., learn the English language.

"I believe that when people come here, they should learn the language and not rely on people living here to learn their language so they can communicate,” Siber said. “It was them that came here to do whatever they want to do here. Where ever you go, if you don't speak their language, they won't talk to you."

Still, as for Nunez, he says he doesn't mind helping transcend language barriers.

Dothan Police have two full-time officers that speak both Spanish and English, and one auxiliary officer that can be called in during special times.