I need advice from a police officer?

Question

I was watching the local news about a young boy that an officer found wandering the street in the middle of the night and he had autism and was deaf. I want to know if all law enforcement agencies have a sign language interpreter on staff? I am a sign language interpreter and want to help with my local law enforcement agency. I want to teach all of the officers where I live Sign Language as there are a lot of deaf people who live in my area. I need advice from an officer as to what I should do about this burden I have.

Answer 1

Most larger cities have ASL interpreters on call who will respond to the station or meet police in the field (on rare occasions) and translate.



Usually, we communicate with paper and pen and the hearing impaired person will do the same.



If you wish to become an interpreter, contact your city, state or county personnel office and get an application. They will tell you if they are hiring interpreters and what qualifications they are seeking.



Good luck to you.

Answer 2

Thank you for stepping up! Contact your local law enforcement provider and discuss with them what you want to do. I would think that the agency hosting a training class would be glad to work with you on the lesson plan and provide some space or help with you finding a free space.



My only advice is to keep the lesson simple and direct as signing is probably a very perishable skill that most officers will not get to practice.



Foreign language and hearing impaired translation is bugger of a problem for many agencies outside of major cities. Local resources to help are a God send when you're trying to investigate something.



By the way, a "large" police agency is generally considered anything over 250 to 300 officers...and most of them do not have good programs for translation services.

Answer 3

This depends on the agencies. Most smaller depts don't even have a foreign language interpreter, nevermind a sign language one. It all depends on the agency and thier budget. They have to look at the big picture. Will it be cost effective to hire someone to be an interpreter when the volume of calls involving the deaf are few and far between? I know the department I used to work for, I was the one who was called in when they needed someone to speak spanish. I was lucky that I excelled in school with that. Larger Agencies, such as the FBI, look at a 2nd language skill highly.

Answer 4

I work in a very small town. We have a list of interpreters who are approved to communicate with the deaf. We have to call them in , and they cost $300 hour. We also have volunteers who sometimes interpret. The difference is that if you are questioning for court purposes,as a perpetrator, witness, or victim, you must use someone from the court approved list.

I don't think any police department will ever train all of their officers in ASL, which is only one of several languages for the deaf, bur you may get to train some who could interpret as needed.

Answer 5

Its impossible to answer your question because you failed to mention your location. Some departments have various type of interpreters available to them. Most do not keep them on staff, it would be ridiculous and impossible to pay interpreters of all kinds to wait around till needed. Try thinking things through before you ask a question?

Answer 6

no sadly most department do not have anyone that can sign. they will have a list of people so they start calling on the list.if you are really interested you can go to a local department and tell them you would like to volunteer your services.just realize you can be called at any time day or night.

----retired texas deputy sheriff----

Answer 7

Thats great that you want to help, contact your local police department and arrange to come speak with the chief of police, im sure he would love your help. Goodluck!!!

Answer 8

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