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__________________________________________ __________________________ _______________________________ General Order B-68 1 of 6 Limited English Proficiency (LEP) TEMPLE TERRACE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER EFFECTIVE DATE 11/28/2019 FILE INDEX NO. B-68 SUBJECT: Limited English Proficiency Policy INDEX AS: SAME RESCINDS: REVISES: DATE REVISED: 07/06/2021 DISTRIBUTION ALL MEMBERS I. PURPOSE To establish guidelines for the successful and accurate communications be tween Department personnel and all L imited English Proficiency (LEP) individuals we are called upon to serve. II. SCOPE: All Members III. DISCUSSION It is the policy of the Temple Terrace Police Department to reasonably ensure that LEP individuals have meaningful acce ss to law enforcement services while not imposing undue burdens on its personnel. IV. DEFINITION A. Bilingual - Refers to t he ability t o use two languages with the same fluency . B. Interpretation - The act of listening to a communication in one language (source language) and orally restating it in another language (target language) while retaining the same meaning. C. Limited Engli sh Proficiency (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 exhibit LEP for other reasons (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 sit uations. D. Language Access Plan Coordinator (LAPC) - The Deputy Chief of Police , or otherwise as designated by the Chief of Police , is responsible for coordinating and implementing all aspects of the department’s Language Access Plan. E. Primary Language - An individual’s native tongue or the language in which an individual most effectively communicate s. F. Temple Terrace Aut horized Interpreter (TTPDAI) - A bilingual Temple Terrace employee who has been authorized to interpret for others in certain situations. __________________________________________ __________________________ _______________________________ General Order B-68 2 of 6 Limited English Proficiency (LEP) G. Translation - The replacement of written text from one language (source language) into an equivalent written text in another language (target language). H. TTPDAI Li st - A list of Temple Terrace Police Department personnel who are bilingual and are authoriz ed to act as volunteer interpreters. The Deputy Chief of Police , or otherwise as designated by the Chief of Police, will create and maintain the list and provide it to Communications Unit and all law enforcement s upervisors. I. Contracted Voia nce Interpret er Service (CVIS) - The interpreter service contracted through the Temple Terrace Police Department. V. PROCEDURES A. Call-Taker Responsibilities: 1. When a call -taker receives a 911 emergency call and determines the caller is LEP, to the best of their ability , he/she will inform the LEP caller that an interpreter will be located and to remain on the line. a. If an interpreter in the Communications Center is not readily available to assist, the call -taker will immediately : (1) dispatch an officer to the g eneral location of the caller if this information can reasonably be ascertained; and (2) connect with the 911 Language Line or Voiance Interpreter Service , contracted through Hillsborough County 911 , using the pre-programed numbers in the Vesta phone system . b. Once a confere nce call between the call -taker, LEP caller, and interpreter has been established, the call -taker shall process the call (utilizing the assistance of the interpreter) in accordance with established policies and procedures. 2. When a call -taker receives a non-emergency call and determines the caller is LEP, to the best of their ability , he/she will inform the LEP caller that an interpreter will be located and to remain on the line. a. The call -taker will attempt to locate an interpreter in the Communications Center (when present) to further process the call. b. If an interpreter in the Communications Center is not readily available to assist, the call -taker will : (1) establish a conference call between the call -taker, LEP caller, and CVIS Interpreter; and (2) process the ca ll (utilizing the assistance of the interpreter) in accordance with established policies and procedures. 3. When a TTPDAI Police C ommunications Officer interpret s a call, the bilingual call-taker will thoroughly document the essential elements of their conve rsation within the CAD call notes. B. Dispatcher Responsibilities: 1. Upon becoming aware of a LEP situation requiring interpretation, t he dispatcher will: a. Immediately d ispatch an officer if : (1) the call was received via 911 ; __________________________________________ __________________________ _______________________________ General Order B-68 3 of 6 Limited English Proficiency (LEP) (2) no on -duty TTPDAI communication members are available; and (3) the location of the caller can be reasonably ascertained . b. Review the list of TTPDAI and determine if