Law enforcement and the deaf community

As police departments across the country embrace community policing, citizens are learning more and more about crime prevention and self-help techniques to reduce the risk of being criminally victimized. Yet, with all of its efforts, law enforcement may be unintentionally shortchanging a segment of the population that can benefit from their programs and services. I am speaking of those individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Recently, while I was preparing for a sexual assault prevention seminar, an auxiliary police supervisor approached me and inquired about the class and how it was presented. I told him that I taught this seminar to women from college age to senior citizens as part of an overall crime prevention program.

After a few minutes, he asked if I would be willing to teach this seminar to a group of women who are deaf or hard of hearing. My immediate reaction was that I couldn't possibly do it. After all, I did not sign, so how could I instruct the class? The officer, however, assured me that communication would not be a problem.

I knew that this officer signed and that he served as the department's liaison to those in the community who are deaf or hard of hearing. But, I didn't know the reasons why, so I asked. The officer then told me about his experience several years ago. While on patrol, he met several deaf people and couldn't communicate with them, which just didn't make him feel right. After all, these were American citizens, people he was sworn to protect and serve, and he couldn't really do so because of the communication barrier.

After listening intently to this officer talk about his experience and signing, I, too, began to feel uneasy. But, could I really teach the Deaf properly if I couldn't communicate with them?

Teaching the Deaf

I finally agreed to conduct the seminar after the officer again assured me that communicating with the class would not be a problem. Because the old adage "trust me" rang loud and clear in my mind, I still felt apprehensive. How would the class ask me questions? If they write out their questions, how will others know what was asked? Then, if I answered through an interpreter, would the other participants be lost? Yet, because I already agreed to teach the seminar, I worked out the necessary details with the officer.

Forty-two women registered for the seminar, although I told the officer to limit the class to 40 participants. I later learned that more than 100 women had been turned away.

On the day of the seminar, a local newspaper reporter showed up to cover this unique story. So, before the media, a full house of participants, and some interested officers from my department, I began my presentation.

Because the professional interpreters told me to do my normal presentation, I covered all the materials in the usual manner, and surprisingly, I didn't encounter any problems. I did have to stop, however, during the presentation to answer many questions. But, the interpreters kept up every step of the way. The seminar progressed as previous ones, although at times, I moved too close to the audience and blocked the participants' view of one of the interpreters. And, I sometimes positioned myself so that those who were lip reading couldn't read my lips. When this happened, however, an interpreter kindly reminded me to step back.

As the seminar progressed, I realized that these people were intently focused on my every word. They asked well-thought-out, to-the-point questions. As I listened to them, I realized that individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing do not have the same contact with the police as other citizens. In fact, the police may be turning a "deaf" ear to them.

A Need to Listen

My limited involvement with the Deaf community through this seminar was both enlightening and informative. But it also made me aware that law enforcement may be failing to meet the needs of citizens who are deaf or hard of heating, a situation that increases their vunerability and one that shouldn't continue. Many police departments have equipped their communication centers with telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) systems in recent years. But, is this enough? Not really.

The Deaf community needs direct and equal access to all the services provided by law enforcement--crime prevention, victim/witness assistance, property identification, and security surveys, to name a few. Such assistance will go a long way in helping them to protect themselves and to feel more secure. And, if prevention efforts do not reach all citizens, then departments fail short in delivering quality police service.

The responsibility for improving communication with the Deaf community rests with law enforcement. Everyone in the department must work toward meeting this responsibility--from patrol officers through the ranks to the chief of police. The Deaf community is calling...is law enforcement listening?

Commander Jones heads the Administrative Services and Training Division of the Elmhurst, Illinois, Police Department.

COPYRIGHT 1993 Federal Bureau of Investigation
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