Let me preface this post by acknowledging I am the son of a cop.  I am trying not to let my obvious bias show here, but I am also a deaf individual.  This is simply a guide, based on common sense and a lifetime's experience dealing with law enforcement from both perspectives.

I have been perusing through several blogs off and on today, including some older ones from other bloggers whom I am just becoming aware of or discovering on my own.  One topic I have seen lately that has piqued my curiosity is the interaction between the deaf/hoh and law enforcement.  I have compiled a list of various actions that should be taken when interacting with law enforcement below.  Please remember, this is not intended to be, and should NOT be construed as, legal advice.  If in doubt, contact a legal advisor.

Traffic Stops:

1.   Pull well off the road, into a well-lit area if possible, immediately roll down your window and turn on any inside light you may have, and turn off the car.

2.   Place both hands on the steering wheel in plain view of the officer.

3.   Wait for the officer to walk up to your window. DO NOT get out of the car unless instructed to do so, and never before being told to do so.

4.   Once the officer is at the window, if you have voice, inform the officer immediately that you are an oral deaf person, and just because you speak, does not mean you can hear or lipread.  If you are not capable of voicing, make sure to use ONE hand and point to your ear and perhaps shake your head.  This is pretty universally understood in most cases.  DO NOT use both hands and begin to sign with the officer, they want to see your hands at all times.

5.  Once the officer has gotten the message and acknowledges he/she understands you are deaf, if you can use your voice, ask if they can communicate by writing with you.  If you are unable to voice, make a motion with your hand as if you are writing and put a quizzical look on your face.

6.   These basic steps should help keep things going smoothly in most cases.  As a proactive measure, check with your state commission on the deaf and hard of hearing to see if they have a visor card program, and get one if they do.  I have one, which was developed by the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, in conjunction with the Kentucky State Police.  Very informative and very easy to understand. 

Typical Home calls:

1.   Please understand first and foremost, if you are a victim of, or a perpetrator in, a domestic violence situation, these are among THE MOST stressful calls an officer will respond to, other than an "unknown situation" call.  Despite the emotionally charged atmosphere, you MUST try and keep your emotions in check.  Police officers' adrenaline will naturally begin pumping like crazy the minute they receive this type of dispatch.

2.   No matter the situation, keep your hands present at all times.  Do not reach unexpectedly for something in your pocket.

3.   Even if you are just holding a towel around your waist and are naked as a jaybird underneath, if they tell you to put your hands up, or make motions for you to do so, DO IT.  The resulting loss of a little dignity (for us men anyway) can be mitigated by the consoling thought that most officers have seen a LOT worse. If they snicker, hey, I hear Enzyte is pretty good, not that I know from personal experience or anything.

4.   If you are placed in handcuffs (detained), but not immediately placed in a police car, chances are you are being detained while they investigate the situtation, and not immediately being placed under arrest.  You could still potentially be let out of the handcuffs.  This allows them to control their environment while they investigate what they have walked into.  Use this chance to try and inform the officer that you are deaf, if capable of speaking.  If unable to speak, you should, back at step #2, point to your ear and shake your head from side to side to show you are deaf.

5.   If placed under arrest, immediately notify the officers that you will need a qualified interpreter before answering any questions under interrogation.  If they are talking to you while investigating the situation, immediately ask for an interpreter to facilitate communication and/or write everything down back and forth. The NAD and other deaf agencies can direct you to appropriate literature explaining your rights far better than I can.


General Police Interaction:

1.   If you are the victim of a crime and call the police for assistance, MAKE SURE TO NOTIFY THE DISPATCHER OF YOUR NEED FOR COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANCE in the form of an interpreter, an officer well-versed in dealing with the deaf/hard of hearing, etc.

2.   Prior to the arrival of the officer, begin to attempt to document what is missing, what has happened, etc.  Oftentimes, a written account presented to the officer ahead of time will answer a lot of questions they may have.  Additionally, this could later be used to refresh your memory if the person is caught and you have to testify or give a deposition (sworn statement).

3.   DO NOT RUN, DO NOT MAKE SUDDEN MOVES.  I can not emphasize those enough. 

Most police officers are good people, good officers, and bear no ill-will towards people with disabilities.  in those few instances where you may be treated so egregiously, discriminated against badly, contact the local department, speak with a superior officer, and document the conversation.  They may have a "Thin Blue Line", but they also don't like officers who make them look bad or the department look bad, etc.

A lot of these may seem like common sense, but I get the feeling from several blogs that I have read, that there is a general distrust of law enforcement among some in the deaf community.  If even one person is helped by this blog, then I will have done my job.