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Police, fire
departments use translation gadget
CINCINNATI, Dec. 26, 2009 (AP): The Cincinnati Fire Department,
Butler County Sheriff's Department and other agencies in
southwest Ohio are using a language translation gadget to tackle
interactions with people they may have difficulty understanding.
The $1,200 devices were given to local governments by the
Latino Educational Assimilation Resource Network Inc., which
uses grants to buy the devices at a discount rate.
``We can buy them so much cheaper than the departments can,''
said William Konop, president of the nonprofit group. ``They can
save a tremendous amount of time and money. Police departments
can really get bogged down trying to find a translator.''
The gadgets enable users to select statements or questions
relating to a variety of situations confronted by law
enforcement and emergency personnel. The selected communication
is then translated aloud into whichever language the user
chooses, from Arabic to Chinese to Russian.
For example, the user can say, '``Miranda warning,``' into the
device, and it will read out the famous directions about a
suspect's constitutional rights in the chosen language.
Jail personnel in the Butler County Sheriff's Department have
used the device, which they've only had for two weeks, to help
book someone who spoke Russian, said Lt. Dennis Adams.
``We've been trying to experiment with them and learn what their
capabilities are,'' Adams said. ``This can really assist us when
getting the basic information we need from people when they're
booked here.''
Beyond making the jobs of officers in difficult situations
easier, the devices can also help keep them safe.
The gadget has a loudspeaker that enables users to issue
instructions in a particular language from far enough away to
avoid potential harm.
``In traffic stops, the officer can use the loudspeaker feature
to tell the suspects to put their hands on the wheel or to leave
the car,'' said Konop. ``Otherwise, they would have to approach
the vehicle. It's much safer to be able to stand back and give
commands.''
The Colerain Township Police Department will be ushering the
translators into use as soon as more officers can be trained on
how to use them.
``With the diversity in our community and I-75, I-74 and U.S. 27
running through it,'' said Chief Dan Meloy, ``we have the
possibility of interacting with people speaking many different
languages. This device will be a big help.''
Information from: The Cincinnati Enquirer,
http://www.enquirer.com
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