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AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER: TIPS FOR LAW

ENFORCEMENT

DEALINGWITH DEAF PEOPLE

Probably the most trying and critical moment you’ll

face as a law enforcement officer encountering a deaf

person is simply figuring out that they’re deaf. Once

you know that, you can generally proceed according

to some best practices and standard tips, and usually

have a fairly friction-free encounter. But if you are

investigating someone who seems unresponsive,

and you haven’t yet figured out they’re deaf—well,

then things can get dicey.

ou might assume a deaf person is being deliberately defiant or even

belligerent if she does not respond to you immediately, for instance.

Or a deaf person might reach into her pocket to pull out a card that tells

you

“I Am Deaf,”

and your alarms might go off because it could appear she

is reaching for a gun.

Fortunately, few law enforcement encounters with deaf people escalate

to an alarming level. Most of them proceed not that differently than they

might with any other person. But the more you know, the better prepared

you are. Many officers are unsure about the best way to interact with deaf

people, and wonder: Is it reasonable to expect that they can read my lips? If

they have a companion who knows sign language, can I use the companion

as an interpreter? Is it safe to communicate by writing messages? What else

am I legally required to know and do?

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