Did you know that one in every 5 American residents speak a language other than English at home? And on top of that, 8% of the US population has Limited English Proficiency (LEP) skills. This is precisely why community interpreting, like police interpretation services, is vital. But how does interpreting work in the police force?
Interpreting in the police force is an essential component of conquering language barriers. If these language barriers aren’t removed, it can have a negative impact on public safety and service. And as servicemen and women, police officers must ensure they consistently deliver meaningful and accessible services to community members. Police departments, therefore, need written translation and verbal interpretation services to enhance communication and ensure compliance within communities.
What Exactly is Police Interpreting?
The title sounds a little misleading. But what’s important to know is that police interpreters aren’t necessarily police officers. These professional interpreters work within the police force. And this is essential because there can be potential problems when the officers themselves step in and act as interpreters.
Yes, many police officers are multilingual. But being multilingual by no means qualifies you as a professional interpreter. Being a legal interpreter is a world away from multilingualism. Professional interpreters are highly skilled, trained, and experienced in the judicial sector.
How Does Interpreting Work in the Police Force?
Police departments use in-person interpreters as well as telephonic interpreting services. They use these linguistic services to conduct interviews and interrogations and take witness statements. The police interpreter interprets for the witnesses, detainees, and any other interlocutors.
In times where police departments need instant access to language services, telephonic interpretation services are ideal. Many police stations also make use of an on-site police interpreter stationed at the department. Utilizing language services like these ensures that the language barrier can be bridged during police interviews and other law enforcement processes.
What happens most often is that a limited English proficient (LEP) detainee requests interpretation services. The interpreter is then called in to explain the process in detail at the law enforcement agency. When they can listen to the message and communicate in their native language, the detainees feel more safe and secure. But in general, they also feel like their liberty depends on interpreting services.
The police station is not a fun environment to be detained in. And without professional interpreting service available, poor communication is inevitable, which can easily result in public scrutiny and a loss of public trust in the police department. The risk of miscommunication can also lead to unnecessary proceedings, which can affect the efficiency of the entire department.
How to Find Qualified Police Interpreters for the Police Force
It’s imperative to use qualified and vetted interpreters if you need them to work on police assignments. Professional interpreters working with the police have extensive experience in interpreting in this environment and are trained in the specific terminology. At Day Interpreting, our interpreters are sourced locally in response to the particular requirements of our clients.
Professional police interpreters have the necessary training and expertise to assist the police with obtaining information while also protecting the rights of limited English proficient, Deaf, and Hard-of-Hearing individuals.
Whenever language barriers arise in law enforcement settings, it’s essential to have instant access to language services. Day Interpreting’s range of interpreting solutions and language services can help police departments serve the needs of their communities and provide the solutions necessary to improve communication at every touchpoint.
Seldean is a multi-skilled content wizard that dedicates herself to writing content that goes beyond merely sparking interest in the audience.
0 Comments