This document outlines the benefits to law enforcement officers of identifying LEP persons language access needs at crime scenes and during criminal investigations. These benefits include improving officer and crime scene safety, improving the likelihood of a successful prosecution, and ensuring that officers fully capture helpful statements from victims and witnesses.
Language Access > Language Access: Police
Topic: Language Access: Police
Materials regarding language access for law enforcement.
[pdf] DOJ, Law Enforcement Letter Regarding Language Access Obligations (December 12, 2023) (+)
Letter from the Assistant Attorney General to law enforcement agencies regarding their language access obligations under federal language access law. This letter explains that “overcoming language barriers within a law enforcement agency is critical for three key reasons. First, accurate and timely communication protects officers and the public. When threats or other vital information are misunderstood, lives may be unnecessarily put at risk. Tragic consequences have resulted from officers’ inability to communicate in an accurate and timely manner with perpetrators, victims, or witnesses with LEP. Second, use of translation, interpretation, and other language assistance services promotes community trust and inclusion by sending a message that LEAs strive to equitably serve the whole community, irrespective of language barriers. Finally, accurate and timely language assistance also helps to ensure the reliability of witness accounts and other evidence. Collecting reliable evidence is at the very heart of the law enforcement mission and critical to achieving justice in the courtroom.
[pdf] Language Access Flow Chart (Reach-Diversity) (+)
How to work with an interpreter after a qualified interpreter is selected.
[pdf] National Survey of Service Providers on Police Response to Immigrant Crime Victims, U Visa Certification and Language Access (April 16, 2013) (+)
This report explores police responses to immigrant victims of crime from the perspectives of various service providers, including legal services, pro bono attorneys, social service organizations, domestic violence/sexual assault programs, law enforcement and prosecutors’ offices. The data presented are based on the results of a nationwide survey of organizations serving immigrant victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. We assess the effect that a history of ongoing collaboration between victim and legal services agencies and law enforcement has on U Visa certification practices and language access to the justice system. The paper also examines the experiences of working with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) clients and language access in the field and during legal procedures. A key focus of this paper is to identify factors that support improved access to culturally and linguistically appropriate resources and services, including the identification of systemic barriers that impede access.
[pdf] Summit and Lorain Counties Project for Limited English Proficient Persons (+)
This document includes model policies and procedures for law enforcement officers to serve and protect limited English proficient persons. It was published by Summit and Lorain Counties in Ohio as a resource for law enforcement regarding interpretation and translation services.
[pdf] In Accordance with the Law: Working with LEP Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victims Presentation (+)
This presentation reviews the language access requirements of Title VI and the American Disabilities Act. The goal of this presentation is to improve investigations and prosecutions by using language access tools. Better language access plans for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) victims enhance victim safety and participation in the criminal justice system.
November 21, 2019: In Accordance with the Law: When Your Victim Witness Speaks Limited English (Webinar)
NIWAP hosted this webinar on Thursday, November 21, 2019, from 11:30am-1:00pm (Eastern). This webinar outlines language access requirements under Title VI and the American Disabilities Act. With the help of NIWAP’s faculty experts, the webinar discusses best practices and language access plans that enhance Limited English Proficiency (LEP) victims’ safety and participation in the criminal […]
*Language Access Materials for Police and Prosecutors (Updated 10/16/2019)
For more information and tools for improving language access for immigrant survivors see https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/language-access Law Enforcement and Prosecutors Know Your Rights information Forms of Immigration Relief U and T Visas Forms U Visa as a Crime-Fighting Tool Prosecutor’s Tools Enhancing Work With Immigrant Crime Victims Screening Tools and Collaboration VAWA Self-Petition Public Benefits
BUILDING LAW ENFORCEMENT CAPACITY TO SERVE IMMIGRANT VICTIMS
Table of Contents U-Visa “Helpfulness” Checklist CATEGORY: MANUAL DHS U and T Visa Law Enforcement Resource Guide Updated 11.30.15 Glossary of Terms for Work with Immigrant Survivors (November 15, 2017) U Visa Helpfulness Case Scenarios Collection of U-Visa News Articles Immigrant Crime Victims and U Visa Certification – What is it and Why Should Judges […]
[pdf] Law Enforcement and Prosecution Best Practices: Immigrant Crime Victims, Language Access and the U Visa (Hawaii 3.17.17) (+)
[pdf] Language Access for LEA Powerpoint (PDF) (+)
Language Access for LEA Powerpoint (PDF)
[pdf] Sample Limited English Proficiency Guidelines from the Office of Justice Programs (+)
This is a sample set of guidelines for law enforcement agency best practices for language access.
[pdf] U Visa LEP Training for LE and Prosecutors NSA 2016 (+)
This workshop was presented by Leslye E. Orloff and Officer Michael LaRiviere at the National Sheriff’s Association Winter 2016 Conference in Washington, D.C. The slides aim enhance officer, victim, and community safety using language access and certification programs including the U and T Visas.
[pdf] Law Enforcement and Prosecution Best Practices: Immigrant Crime Victims, Language Access and the U Visa Slides (NCVC Anaheim Training 2015) (+)
These slides were presented by Leslye E. Orloff and Officer Michael LaRiviere at the National Center for Victims of Crime 2015 Training Institute. The slides aim to educate law enforcement, prosecutors, and other victim service providers about their role in providing services to immigrant crime victims, including providing U visa certification and T visa endorsement.
[pdf] National Association of Judiciary Interpreters & Translators Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibilities (+)
This code of conduct developed by the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators is a model code used by interpreters across the country. Law enforcement officials, courts, attorneys and advocates using interpreters often ask/require that interpreters with whom they work agree to follow this code when providing interpretation and translation services.
The function of court interpreters and translators is to remove the language barrier to the extent possible, so that such persons’ access to justice is the same as that of similarly-situated English speakers for whom no such barrier exists. The degree of trust that is placed in court interpreters and the magnitude of their responsibility necessitate high, uniform ethical standards that will both guide and protect court
[pdf] Questions to Use for Crime Scene Identification of Limited English Proficient (LEP) (May 16, 2017) (+)
These are sample introductory questions that an officer can ask when meeting a person that is potentially LEP. They are based on scenarios that an officer will likely encounter during his or her patrol. The goal is to ask questions that are not related to information the officer may need to for a criminal case, that can build rapport with victims and witnesses and avoid yes/no questions helping officers assess the need for a qualified interpreter to help LEP persons communicate with law enforcement and promote accuracy of police reports and criminal investigations.
[pdf] Chapter 1.4: Laws Governing Law Enforcement Agency Provision of Language Assistance to Limited English Proficient Persons (+)
Outline with links of laws governing law enforcement agency provision of language assistance to limited English proficient (LEP) individuals.
[pdf] Promoting Accurate and Effective Communication with Limited English Proficient Persons: Law Enforcement and Community Safety Benefits (+)
Instructor guide for having effective communication with limited English proficient (LEP) individuals. Training for law enforcement crime scene investigators and first responders.
[pdf] Steps for Obtaining Interpreters – Law Enforcement (August 21, 2016) (+)
This tool provides an overview of the U.S. Department of Justice recommendations regarding steps law enforcement officers should take when they encounter limited English proficient (LEP) persons and the process for obtaining qualified interpreters. What police may do in exigent circumstances is discussed as is the importance of obtaining a qualified interpreter once the scene is secure and the officer is taking information that will be included in the police report or part of the criminal investigation in the case.
[pdf] Dos and Don’ts to Help Law Enforcement Identify Victims, Witnesses, and Other Persons Who Are Limited English Proficient and Need An Interpreter (May 16, 2017) (+)
This document provides general Dos and Don’ts for law enforcement officers that assist in detecting whether a person is limited English proficient (LEP) and needs an interpreter to communicate fully and effectively with law enforcement officials. This tool will also help law enforcement officials determine whether they believe an interpreter would facilitate accurate communication and the officer wishes to have an interpreter to ensure accuracy in police reports and investigations.
Law Enforcement, Prosecutor and T and U Visa Certifier Training Materials
Most of the documents in this section and the trainings provided to law enforcement and prosecutors listed at the end of this section were supported by grants from the Office on Violence Against Women, The Bureau of Justice Assistance and/or the Training and Technical Assistance Center of the Office of Victims of Crime of the […]
[pdf] Immigrant and Limited English Proficient Victims’ Access to the Criminal Justice System: The Importance of Collaboration (April 30, 2013) (+)
Fact Sheet highlighting findings from a national survey NIWAP conducted documenting immigrant crime victims’ experiences when they called the police for help in domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking cases. The findings provide data on the use of qualified interpreters at crime scenes by police and law enforcement barriers to U visa certification. In communities where established collaborative relationships between law enforcement and victim advocates and attorneys existed, law enforcement was significantly more likely to sign U visa certifications and more likely to provide language assess for limited English proficient crime victims at crime scenes.
[pdf] Proper Role of a Court Interpreter (+)
Guidelines of what an individuals should look for when working with a court interpreter.
[pdf] U.S. Department of Justice: Model Police Department Directive: Limited English Proficiency Guidelines (+)
The Office of Justice Programs at the U.S. Department of Justice developed a model police on language access for police departments. The model was developed out of the settlement agreements DOJ reached when it brought enforcement actions against police departments for failure to provide language access to limited English proficient individuals. This model policy has been adopted by police departments and serves as a guide for DOJ expectations of what police departments policies on language access should be.