Interpreting in police settings

When interpreters are called on by the police, specific consideration is needed towards how communication is achieved to ensure the standard set by the police is preserved. This standard will depend on the on the issue at hand (e.g., police suspect interview custody booking in process, or dealing with a non-crime related matter). In this chapter we describe the demands created by these standards, the over-dependence on sign language interpreters to achieve access and current police practices when interacting with the public, in particular with deaf users. We highlight how there is a growing awareness within the police to promote better quality engagement and public confidence. This appreciation opens the door for interpreting practitioners and scholars to contribute to how the police rethink and manage their interactions with the public.