Common use of Language Assistance Clause in Contracts

Language Assistance. 39. EHPD shall ensure effective communication with and provide timely and meaningful access to police services to all members of the community, regardless of their national origin or limited ability to speak, read, write, or understand English. To achieve this outcome, EHPD shall: a) develop and implement a comprehensive language assistance plan and policy that complies, at a minimum, with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, (42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq.) and other applicable law, and comports with professional policing practices; b) ensure that all EHPD personnel take reasonable steps to provide timely, meaningful language assistance services to LEP individuals they encounter and whenever an LEP individual requests language assistance services; c) identify and assess demographic data, specifically the number of LEP individuals within its jurisdiction and the number of LEP victims and witnesses who seek EHPD services; d) use collected demographic and service data to develop and meet specific hiring goals for bilingual staff; e) regularly assess the proficiency and qualifications of bilingual staff to become a EHPD Authorized Interpreter (“EHPDAI”); f) ensure that 911 call-takers identify an EHPDAI to respond to an incident involving an LEP individual. If no EHPDAI is available, the personnel shall contact a telephonic interpretation service provider. The call-taker shall note in information to the radio dispatch that the 911 caller is an LEP individual and indicate the language; g) develop protocols for interpretation for interrogations and interviews of LEP individuals, including requiring and ensuring the use of a qualified interpreter for the taking of any formal statement that could adversely affect a suspect or witness’ legal rights; h) develop and implement a process for taking, responding to and tracking civilian complaints and resolutions of complaints filed by LEP individuals; i) implement a process for recruitment of qualified bilingual personnel to meet demonstrated service needs. As part of this process, EHPD shall establish significant and sustained relationships with local and state-wide institutions and community organizations that can serve as the source of qualified bilingual applicants and facilitate outreach to such advocates; and j) implement effective incentives for bilingual employees to become EHPDAIs, such as pay differentials and consideration in performance evaluations, assignments, and promotions. 40. EHPD shall translate the language assistance plan and policy into Spanish and other languages as appropriate, and post the English and translated versions in a public area of the police department building, as well as online, and in any other locations throughout the Town where individuals go to seek police assistance. EHPD shall distribute the language assistance plan and policy to a variety of community organizations serving LEP communities encountered by EHPD. 41. EHPD shall distribute its LEP plan and policy to all staff and police personnel, and, within 180 days of the Effective Date provide a minimum of one hour of training to all personnel on providing language assistance services to LEP individuals. This training shall include: a) EHPD’s LEP plan and policies, and the requirements of Title VI and this Agreement; b) how to access EHPD-authorized, telephonic and in-person interpreters; c) how to work with interpreters in the field; d) cultural diversity and language barrier policing; and e) basic command Spanish for officers assigned to patrol areas with significant LEP populations. 42. Within 60 days of Effective Date, the Town shall designate a language access coordinator who shall coordinate and ensure EHPD’s compliance with its language assistance plan. 43. Within 60 days of the Effective Date, EHPD shall develop and implement a process of consultation with representatives of the LEP community to develop and at least annually review: implementation of the language assistance plan, including areas of possible collaboration to ensure its effectiveness; identification of additional languages that would be appropriate for translation of materials; accuracy and quality of EHPD language assistance services; and concerns, ideas, and strategies for ensuring language access.