The Need for Interpretation Services to Aid Law Enforcement Officers
Freedom is the most alluring aspect of immigrating to America, people living in countries where they have limited or restricted rights dream of the day when they can set foot on the soil that will allow them to fulfill their most vivid dreams and provide a future for their family members. While this country has carved its desired perception of its culture for the rest of the world as the land of opportunity, along with that perception came an influx of people who want to be a part of this idea and way of life. People from all over the world have continued to immigrate to the United States ever since it has been in existence. Currently, immigration is continuing to develop quite rapidly with over 43.3 million immigrants living in the United States in 2015, which makes 13.5 percent of the population an immigrant of some sort. Immigration is adding to the population in America and the growth is producing issues within cities and communities. Law enforcement officers are faced with having to deal with individuals in potentially dangerous situations who don’t speak or understand English.
Everyday in cities all over the United States, 911 is called and the person calling is speaking a language other than English, an officer is dispatched and left to his best efforts and instincts to understand the situation once he or she arrives at the scene. If the officer is lucky, there is a child or family member present who speaks English and can help with interpretation however, this is really a worse case scenario. If asked to interpret, bilingual children and family members can not be relied on for competency and they may also compromise reliable communication. Clear and accurate communication is required in order for the officer to gather details and gain a complete understanding in order to act on the situation at hand. The job of a law enforcement officer is to protect all people despite language barriers and poor communication interferes with that standard and puts both the officer and the civilian in jeopardy.
On-Site Interpretation is the Best Interpretation Service for Law Enforcement
Dealing with unfamiliar languages as a law enforcement officer doesn’t have to add stress, uncertainty and additional danger to your job any longer, Niki’s Int’l Ltd., a language service provider who can aid you in these difficult situations by providing an experienced interpreter who will be able to facilitate communication when dealing with limited English proficient (LEP) individuals. The best and most effective type of interpretation service for law enforcement is on-site interpretation. On-site interpreting takes place when you need a professional interpreter to physically meet with you to interpret in person. This is the most effective form of interpretation as it allows for direct, face-to-face contact between you, the limited-English proficient (LEP) individual, and the interpreter. On-site is the best interpretation service for the law enforcement industry because the situations faced will normally involve sensitive or emotionally challenging information and it provides all parties with a tangible language bridge that they can see, hear and feel. Also it is extremely important that law enforcement officers are fully aware of what the LEP individual is saying without a lag in time and having an interpreter present allows for the conversation to happen in real time and at a pace and rhythm that everyone is able to keep up and comprehend the matter at hand.
Enlisting the Help of an Interpreter
Whether you’re at the scene of a crime or an automobile accident, the jail after an arrest, speaking with the magistrate or at the interrogation of an LEP individual, the presence of a professional interpreter is needed in order to effectively communicate and gather information accurately. Language barriers can prevent LEP individuals from reporting crimes, describing details as well as a suspect’s description, which in turn makes it very difficult for law enforcement officers to provide protection and collect evidence. These situations faced on a daily basis are high pressured and mentally demanding, so having an interpreter there can help in ensuring that the communication happen quickly and precisely.
Incorporating strategies such as hiring Niki’s Int’l Ltd. in order to be provided with an interpreter when interacting with an LEP individual can help with problem solving, increased trust and provide better public safety. There are many cities across America that are heavily populated with LEP individuals and depending on your specific department’s needs, interpreters can be provided in a timely manner. Developing a partnership with your language service provider can help in setting up a network of linguists who will be able to help with your interpretation needs. Developing department wide policies that will ensure accurate communication with LEP individuals can increase safety for the individuals as well as the law enforcement officers involved. Enlisting the aid of a language service provider when interpretation services are needed increases a department’s ability to create strong trusting relationships within immigrant communities through understanding and clear communication which is needed in order to serve and protect all individuals of this great nation.
Niki’s Int’l Ltd. is a WBENC-Certified Women Business Enterprise with 20 years of language service experience. A global network of highly skilled translators and interpreters are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for on-site, telephonic and video remote interpretation services. Our linguists are available in over 350 languages and dialects, and our network includes certified translators and interpreters. Our work is guaranteed with a $1 Million Errors & Omissions policy, so that you can be confident that your project will be completed with the highest level of quality and professionalism within the field. For more information contact us at 1-877-567-8449 or visit our website at www.nilservices.com.