PLOD officers are breaking down barriers

Derbyshire Constabulary are bridging the gap for those who are deaf/deafened and hard of hearing in the community.

Around 12 million adults in the UK are deaf or have hearing loss, and, proportionate to its population, Derbyshire has the highest number of people with hearing loss living and working in the country. 

Derbyshire Constabulary have recognised the need to support the deaf community and have developed a range of services and schemes to help, including PLOD (Police Link Officers for Deaf People). 

PLOD trains police officers and staff in British Sign Language (BSL) so they can offer communication support in non-emergency situations. These officers volunteer for the role alongside their usual duties and may: 

• Assist at front desks in police stations. 

• Offer support in custody while waiting for an interpreter. 

• Provide communication help at the scene of a crime. 

PLOD officers aim to break down communication barriers at the first point of contact. While skilled in BSL, they do not replace professionally qualified NRCPD interpreters, particularly for evidential procedures such as taking statements or conducting interviews. They also aren’t available 24/7, so appointments requiring BSL should be booked with an interpreter in the usual way. 

Currently, 20 Derbyshire officers and staff are qualified in BSL up to Level 3, with more training planned this year. These skills help build trust, strengthen community links and ensure Deaf residents can access the support they need. 

The Constabulary has also adopted 999 BSL - a free app and web platform enabling Deaf BSL users to contact emergency services. With one button, callers are connected to a remote BSL interpreter who relays the conversation to the operator. This simple, life-saving tool ensures that no deaf person is excluded in an emergency.