Windsor Police Expand Language Interpretation Services

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Today, Windsor Police announced a partnership with Language Services Associates to expend on communication services offers by the police.

In June of 2011, Windsor Police partnered with LSA in an attempt to improve their language interpretation services. The Emergency 911 centre conducted a 30 day trial and it received excellent reviews from Communications Centre staff in regards to the interpretation service. Police then incorporated the service into the Windsor Police Service Human Rights Project in order to expand their ability to communicate with members of the public who are Deaf or Limited English Proficient (LEP). The expansion will include the immediate availability of both Interpreting by Telephone and Video Remote Interpreting Services at all Windsor Police Service facilities where public interaction occurs.

“These new and improved language interpreter services will help to ensure our linguistically diverse citizens as well as our Deaf and Hard of Hearing population receives access to the same services we provide to other citizens of the City of Windsor” said Acting Chief of Police Al Frederick.

Video Remote Interpreting enables Deaf and hearing people to be in the same room and to communicate through a video based interpreter via the LSA website. An interpreting service will be contacted for lawyer/client communications on-site.

This will also be available in the headquarters downtown and the Collision Reporting Centre on Jefferson Ave to enable people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing to complete a minor report that does not require court attendance, file a complaint, or make a general inquiry.

The Deaf or Hard of Hearing person will always be provided with the option to choose their preferred method of communication.

Also now available is Interpreting By Telephone at the downtown headquarters, the Traffic Branch, Professional Standards Branch, the Detention Unit and the Collision Reporting Centre. The officer will contact LSA to request a telephonic interpreter and will provide the LEP person with a separate handset, allowing all three parties to communicate in the preferred language.

As well, when an an officer attends a call on the road and there is a language barrier present, the officer may call the 911 Centre and request a conference call with LSA.