Policy Text
Policy Delano Police Department
333 Delano PD Policy Manual
Limited English Proficiency Services
333.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides guidance to members when communicating with individuals with limited
English proficiency (LEP) (42 USC § 2000d).
333.1.1 DEFINITIONS
Definitions related to this policy include:
Authorized interpreter - A person who has been screened and authorized by the Department to
act as an interpreter and/or translator for others.
Interpret or interpretation - The act of listening to a communication in one language (source
language) and orally converting it to another language (target language), while retaining the same
meaning.
Limited English proficient (LEP) - Any individual whose primary language is not English and
who has a limited ability to read, write, speak or understand English. These individuals may be
competent in certain types of communication (e.g., speaking or understanding) but still be LEP
for other purposes (e.g., reading or writing). Similarly, LEP designations are context-specific; an
individual may possess sufficient English language skills to function in one setting but these skills
may be insufficient in other situations.
Qualified bilingual member - A member of the Delano Police Department, designated by the
Department, who has the ability to communicate fluently, directly and accurately in both English
and another language. Bilingual members may be fluent enough to communicate in a non-English
language but may not be sufficiently fluent to interpret or translate from one language into another.
Translate or translation - The replacement of written text from one language (source language)
into an equivalent written text (target language).
333.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Delano Police Department to reasonably ensure that LEP individuals have
meaningful access to law enforcement services, programs and activities, while not imposing undue
burdens on its members.
The Department will not discriminate against or deny any individual access to services, rights or
programs based upon national origin or any other protected interest or right.
333.3 LEP COORDINATOR
The Chief of Police shall delegate certain responsibilities to an LEP Coordinator. The LEP
Coordinator shall be appointed by, and directly responsible to, the Patrol Division Commander or
the authorized designee.
The responsibilities of the LEP Coordinator include, but are not limited to:
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/06, All Rights Reserved. Limited English Proficiency Services - 1
Published with permission by Delano Police Department