Derbyshire Constabulary PLOD (Police Link Officers for the Deaf) - Bridging the Gap for Deaf/Deafened & Hard of Hearing in Derbyshire.

Glossop SNT - ‘Supporting The Deaf Community’

Around 12 million adults in the UK are deaf or have hearing loss. In the UK, Derbyshire has the highest number of Deaf or people with hearing loss living and working within the county than anywhere else in the country, proportionate to its population, so it’s important that we support the Deaf community that we serve.  

For us to be able to do that, we have to be an accessible service, therefore, a number of services and schemes have been established to aid this.

PLOD. 

PLOD, meaning Police Link Officers for Deaf People, is a scheme designed to train officers and staff in British Sign Language to help bridge the gap .

The position of a PLOD officer is voluntary and an addition to an officer or staff members role, but the purpose of a PLOD officer is to provide a service for non-emergency situations when communication support is required, such as –

• Providing assistance at a front enquiry desk at a police station.

• Assisting in the custody area whilst waiting for the services of an interpreter.

• Offering communication support and advice at a scene of a crime.

Ultimately, a PLOD officer is about breaking down that barrier of communication at the first point of contact when a member of the Deaf community needs our support.  Whilst PLOD officers do have British Sign Language skills, a PLOD officer doesn’t replace a professionally qualified (NRCPD) interpreter.  

Some other things that a PLOD officer doesn’t do are :

• They do not provide any interpreting for cases involving evidential procedures such as taking a statement or interviewing.

• A PLOD officer is to support the officer in the case not to replace the officer in the case.

• PLOD officers are not available 24/7 but they can be utilised if available.

• If appointments are being made, a qualified interpreter should be booked in the usual way.

Derbyshire Constabulary currently has 20 officers and staff who hold qualifications in British Sign Language up to Level 3, with more officers and staff to be trained later in the year.  Having these officers and staff who are able to use their British Sign language skills helps to make community links and further supports in building the trust and relationship between the Deaf community and Derbyshire Constabulary.

BLS App

We also have a 999 BSL app and web-based platform that enables Deaf BSL users to contact us in an emergency.  This allows a Deaf BSL user to be connected to a remote BSL interpreter who will then relay the conversation to the emergency operator.  The app is extremely simple and easy to use, with a single button needed to connect to an interpreter.  999 BSL has been set up so that no Deaf person will be excluded when they need to make an emergency call, therefore saving lives.

 999 BSLapp  www.999bsl.co.uk - download

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