Almost 3,000 policemen, firemen and Government Protection Bureau officers will learn foreign languages in order to be able to communicate with tourists during the European Football Championship in 2012.

“During the Euro 2012 policemen will need to communicate with tourists and football fans from abroad and make sure they are safe so they need to have at least a basic command of foreign languages,” said Anna Kedzierzawska, spokesperson for the Polish Police Headquarters.

Intensive language courses will start in March 2010 and finish just before the Euro 2012. The cost of the course will be covered by the European Social Fund and the state budget. Policemen and firemen will be able to learn English, German or Russian on a basic or intermediate level, depending on their current language skills. (mg/mmj)