SIGNED POLICE PROCEDURES – a great tool to address communication and disability rights issues with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing public.
Ease your worries about communicating with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing public. Ease your department’s concerns about disability rights lawsuits. This app is simple to use, easy to download, and gives you peace of mind you’ve been looking for!
But what does it do?
A wonderful tool for field officers, this app allows you to communicate using a series of Yes/No type questions. It allows the individual to enter information right into the app. This “smart” app then considers the answers and asks the next logical question. It has an option for the “I don’t understand” selection on several questions that, when selected, informs the individual an interpreter will be provided at the station. This App may not solve all the challenges of encountering a person who uses sign language, but the fact that you have tried to accommodate their language needs goes a long way! This series currently offers general questions and introductions, the Miranda Warning, assistance with lost children and traffic topics.
After each question, the individual responds “yes” or “no”, or types the required information right onto the screen. Each question may easily be repeated with a “repeat” button – allowing the individual to watch the video as many times as necessary to understand each question before moving onto the next question. After a series of questions, it asks the individual to sign, acknowledging completion on the screen, and then you can store a complete report.
The app offers a unique reporting feature that can print or email a written copy of all questions presented and all answers provided, including the signature. Reports are stored locally on your device, meaning that no data is gathered or stored on a server, allowing the user to protect sensitive or private information. The app can be used to file reports with your department or be offered as evidence in court. Each encounter is indexed by date and time (not by the respondent’s last name) for ease of locating reports.
How many times have you been grilled in court about your communications with the accused? This report shows it all – with no guessing or supposing. The report contains it all, including your name and badge number, the date and time of the interaction and every question posed and answer provided by the individual. On top of it all, the report contains the signature confirming their participation. Talk about a CYA tool!
This is great, but my needs are unique…
This app is fully customizable. If you or your department requires a special format, certain questions or specific forms or documents, we can revise the app to include those documents and build it to your specifications. Just use the “Idea” button in the app, and we will contact you about setting it up just the way you want it!
We hope these basic words and phrases will help you to further "protect and serve" all in your jurisdiction.
Please seek confirmation from your legal counsel and check with your department before using any portion of this app in a custodial situation. Federal law may require additional action. Visit www.ada.gov for more information about when an interpreter must be provided.
Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geY7wS9Kkc0 for a how to video