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.
Tag: Law Enforcement
[pdf] U visa Certification and T visa Declaration Toolkit for Law Enforcement Agencies and Prosecutors (August 30, 2021) (+)
By providing U‐visa certifications and T visa declarations law enforcement and prosecution officials add to their arsenal of crime fighting tools when immigrant victims feel safer coming forward to report crimes. This document provides the following background information on the U‐visa and T visa programs: an overview of the U‐visa and T visa; Quick Reference guides on the U and T visas, Statutory and Regulatory Background on U and T visas, Flow Charts, Protections for Family Members, Frequently Asked Questions, Timelines, Sample forms, Model policies, Screening tools, DHS brochures and infographics, and links to resource materials and news articles on U and T visa certification.
[pdf] U Visa Quick-Reference for Law Enforcement and Prosecutors (March 24, 2021) (+)
Part of the U Visa Certification Toolkit for Law Enforcement and Prosecutors. This quick reference guide assists law enforcement and prosecutors summarizing the U visa certification and is based on the DHS U and T Certification Resource Guide.
[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 1.6: Working Effectively with Telephone Interpreters (+)
This brief guide provides law enforcement officers with useful information when using telephone interpreters to communicate with persons who are limited English proficient (LEP).
[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] 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.
[pdf] Federal Government’s Renewed Commitment to Language Access Obligations Under Executive Order 13166 (+)
Memorandum from the Attorney General to heads of federal agencies, general counsels, and civil rights heads regarding Executive Order 13166 language access obligations.
[pdf] Language Access Obligations Under Executive Order 13166 (+)
Memorandum from Attorney General, Department of Justice, to heads of department components regarding Executive Order 13166 language access obligations.
[pdf] Sexual Assault Response Team: SART Handbook (+)
The Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) handbook was developed by the Oregon Attorney General’s Sexual Assault Task Force and was updated by the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General. This is a national curriculum that provides basic and intermediate information on sexual assault dynamics, law enforcement response, preliminary investigation, victim interviewing and evidence collection and use. It also contains a discussion of best practices for collaboration and a coordinated community response to sexual assault.
[pdf] Memorandum: Interim Guidance Relating to Officer Procedure Following Enactment of VAWA 2005 (+)
Memorandum from John Torres to Field Office Directors and Special Agents in Charge providing guidance to operational units of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on the new confidentiality procedures created by VAWA 2005 in cases involving individuals who may be eligible to apply for VAWA benefits or T or U visas.
[pdf] Hawaii State Legislation: Language Access (+)
A Hawaii bill regarding effective communication between the government and individuals who are restricted from public services, because of limited language-proficiency.
[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.
[pdf] Memorandum (7/2002) Re: Executive Order 13166 (Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency) (+)
Memorandum from Assistant Attorney General, Ralph F. Boyd, Jr. to heads of federal agencies, general counsels, and civil rights directors regarding Executive Order 13166, improving access for limited English proficient (LEP) individuals.
[pdf] Operating Policies and Procedures Memorandum No. 97-7: Procedures for Identifying Potential Battered Spouse/ Battered Child Cases (+)
A memorandum about the operating policies and procedures for identifying potential battered spouse/ battered child cases from the office of the Chief Immigration Judge to all deputy chief immigration judges, all assistant chief immigration judges, all immigration judges, all court administrators, all judicial law clerks, and all court staff.