Leicester Police have released a BSL video for Deaf Awareness Week 2014.
Emma Gilbert, a Detective Sergeant, manages Police Link Officers for Deaf People, or PLOD, and the video shows her signing about the PLOD service, which helps Deaf, deafened, hard of hearing and deafblind people to feel safe.
Leicestershire’s PLOD is made up of 24 police officers and staff who are all trained in Deaf awareness and qualified in at least Level 1 of BSL, with some working towards the next level and up to Level 6.
Leicestershire Police is aiming to increase the number of officers and staff trained in Deaf awareness, to continue to break down the barriers and build better relationships between the Force and Deaf, deafened, hard of hearing and Deafblind members of the community.
PLOD use their skills in providing a service for any non-emergency situation when communication support is required as a point of contact. It could include providing assistance at a front enquiry desk at a local policing unit (LPU) or offering communication support and advice at a scene of crime.
Across the week, officers and staff from PLOD will be sharing videos introducing some of those trained in BSL as well as giving people an insight into how to communicate by sign.
Assistant Chief Constable Phil Kay said, “One of the main objectives for the Force and PLOD is improving the accessibility to our services. We understand how important it is for everyone to feel included within all of our communities and provide them with a service that meets their needs.
“The Deaf community have been extremely supportive to PLOD and appreciative that we have officers who are able to communicate with them through sign.”
Leicestershire Police is encouraging anyone from the Deaf community to contact PLOD if they need help, or if they can help improve the service the Force provides.
There are a number of ways to contact PLOD:
- Email – [email protected]
- Textphone – 18001 101
- Facebook
- Twitter – @leicsPLOD
- Visit your local LPU and ask for a PLOD
- Non-emergency 101