Translating Justice

Translating Justice works to overcome communication barriers between law enforcement and communities—such as immigrant enclaves—where many people do not speak or understand English well. The project provides police and law enforcement agencies with training, tailored consulting services, and research on promising practices in the field.

Expert

Multimedia

Our work

In February 2009, Translating Justice and the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) created a publication and companion webcast that highlighted programs police are using to communicate effectively with residents who do not speak English. Vera staff selected these programs after assessing practices at nearly 200 police agencies.
In previous work with the COPS Office, Translating Justice helped a diverse group of law enforcement agencies, including those in Anaheim, California; Clark County, Ohio; and Las Vegas, Nevada, develop policies that improve access to law enforcement services for people who do not speak English. The project culminated with a report that discussed the practical steps agencies can take to address language barriers.

Translating Justice has also explored how police and Arab American communities can build cooperation; convened criminal justice officials to discuss how technology can bridge language gaps; and developed key resources, including bilingual criminal justice glossaries in Spanish and Chinese.

Why Translating Justice?

U.S. Census data shows that almost 20 percent of Americans speak a language other than English at home, and about 9 percent of Americans have a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English—they are what is known as limited English proficient (LEP). Unlike in the past, many new immigrants are settling in suburbs and small towns, which are largely unaccustomed to language diversity. In many of these communities, language and cultural barrriers may prevent immigrants from reporting crime—and that may cause them to be victimized. Police need to be able to communicate effectively with all of the people they serve so that they can offer protection, gather evidence, and keep communities safe.

For more information, contact Rodolfo Estrada.

Experts

Susan Shah

Topics

Centers & Programs

Center on Immigration & Justice

Resources

Policing in new immigrant communities

The United States is becoming increasingly diverse as people emigrate from around the world seeking opportunities. The multicultural society this is generating presents new challenges for law enforcement. Recent immigrants can be both more vulnerable to crime and less likely to report it to law enforcement. Local police departments often feel blindsided by the rapidly growing pace of diversity in their communities and, therefore, have little comfort dealing with policing in this environment.
Bridging the language divide: promising practices for law enforcement

Law enforcement officers need to communicate with the people they serve to do their jobs safely and effectively. Yet due to changing demographics across the United States, police officers in many areas interact almost daily with people who do not speak or understand English well. To meet this challenge, a growing number of police agencies are developing programs to effectively communicate with diverse communities. The U.S.
Overcoming language barriers in the criminal justice system: can language assistance technology help?

In order to do their jobs safely and effectively, criminal justice personnel must be able to communicate with the people they serve. Yet, as a result of dramatic shifts in the demographics of immigration since the early 1990s, many criminal justice agencies are finding they are ill-equipped to communicate with growing numbers of people in their jurisdictions who do not speak English well. Criminal justice administrators are increasingly looking for creative and cost-effective ways to bridge this language gap.

Projects