Photo: Halton Police
Officers with the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) will now have 24/7 access to interpreters in over 200 languages.
On Thursday, November 30th, the Halton Police Board agreed to adopt Language Interpreting Services Application (LISA), a web-based video and audio app by Languages in Motion Ltd. The language options even include American Sign Language.
“Discovering innovative solutions to overcoming barriers within policing is always a top priority for our Service,” says HRPS Superintendent Bob Gourley. “The people and communities our officers are sworn to serve are evolving, and so too must our mentality and approach to policing. When we say we’re here for the community, we mean everybody. Having LISA available at any given moment will ensure our officers are better equipped to answer the call – regardless of who is making it.”
The HRPS says the decision was made due to Halton’s constant and rapid growth, calling it the fastest growing region in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. In 2020, the population was 610,000, and by the end of this year it’s expected to have gained an additional 50,000 residents. By 2031, Halton is anticipated to be home to 820,000 people.
“As our community grows, it’s also becoming more diverse, with 17% of residents speaking a language at home other than English or French, and more than 7,000 Halton residents reportedly unable to speak English or French; a 40% increase since 2011,” says the HRPS in a release.
They add that providing frontline officers access to LISA will be a key step in helping their Service develop trust and meaningful relationships with all members of the community, and ultimately, continue providing exceptional policing. When officers attend an incident but do not speak the same language as those involved, they can utilize the app to relay information instantly using secure access to professional certified translators and interpreters.
For more information on LISA, click here.
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