SOUTH Yorkshire Police has doubled the number of its officers and staff specially qualified to help members of the public who are deaf or hard of hearing.<\/p>\n
The force’s Police Link Officers for the Deaf (PLOD) initiative increased its members from 19 to 37.<\/p>\n
Eighteen officers, staff and PCSOs passed their Level 1 British Sign Language (BSL) qualification last month.<\/p>\n
PLOD members aim to improve communication with the public by helping the deaf community, offering information, advice and support through sign language, and can offer colleagues communication support when necessary.<\/p>\n
The new members were presented with their Level 1 award by Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Barber at a ceremony on Tuesday 24 January.<\/p>\n
Detective Inspector Jude Ashmore congratulated the new members for doing “incredibly well” in learning the basics of BSL.<\/p>\n
“We hope this initiative will increase visibility within deaf communities, keeping people safer and increasing confidence in the police,” said Det Insp Ashmore.<\/p>\n
“We are truly breaking down communication barriers thanks to our PLOD-trained colleagues and are confident that the initiative will ensure members of the deaf community are not excluded or disadvantaged when coming into contact with the force.<\/p>\n
“We hope members of the deaf community will call upon a member of PLOD if they ever need to contact South Yorkshire Police.”<\/p>\n