FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          CR
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1995                          (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888
                                 
  ROCHESTER POLICE FORMALIZE SIGN-LANGUAGE INTERPRETER POLICY

   Settlement is the First of its Kind in the State of New York

     WASHINGTON, D.C. --  In an effort to improve communication
between deaf citizens and police, a city in New York will issue a
written policy concerning the use of sign language interpreters
by its local police department, the Justice Department announced
today.
     A Rochester, New York woman filed a complaint with the
Justice Department concerning an incident that took place in July
1992.  The complaint alleged that the woman, who is deaf, went to
the Rochester Police Department to report an assault.  She
claimed that she was unable to tell police about the incident
without the services of a sign language interpreter, which the
police department did not provide.  Today's agreement between
Rochester and the Justice Department resolves the complaint under
the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
     The Justice Department has reached similar settlements with
police departments in Clearwater, Florida; Montgomery County,
Maryland; and Bell Gardens, California.  Under the settlements
the Justice Department may seek a court remedy if any of the
departments fail to comply with the agreement.
      "Police departments and community members need to work
together to combat crime, and communication is a critical element
in achieving that goal," said Assistant Attorney General for
Civil Rights Deval L. Patrick.  "We are pleased that Rochester
has formalized a policy to ensure that all of its citizens will
be able to effectively communicate with the police."
     Under today's settlement, the Rochester Police Department
has agreed to:
    issue a written directive to law enforcement personnel
     describing the policy on sign language interpreters;

    provide training for personnel on the appropriate use of
     sign-language interpreter services; 
 
    ensure that sign-language interpreters are provided as
     needed during arrests, investigations, or during an
     interrogation;
  
    ensure that sign language interpreters employed by the city
     are sufficiently qualified; and
     
    publicize the new policy through pamphlets, posters, and
     other appropriate means. 
     "The Rochester Police Department has welcomed the
opportunity to work with the Department of Justice to develop a
written policy which will assure effective communication with
members of the public who are deaf or hard of hearing," said
Chief Robert S. Warshaw of the Rochester Police Department.
"Service to members of the public who are deaf or hard of hearing
has always been a very important concern to us."  
     The Chief added that the department has provided and will
continue to provide services that are available to all members of
the community. 
     The ADA prohibits discrimination against persons with
disabilities.  Title II of the law states that public entities,
including police departments, must communicate effectively with
members of the public who have hearing disabilities.  State and
local governments are required to provide appropriate services,
such as sign language interpreters where necessary, unless the
provision of such would result in "an undue burden." 
     Whenever possible, the Justice Department attempts to
negotiate with state and local governments to bring about
voluntary compliance with the requirements of the ADA.   
     "Our goal is to work with police organizations to achieve
solutions,"  Patrick added.  "We take into account good faith
efforts to comply with the law, and Rochester's efforts serve as
a model to other counties across the country."
     Copies of the written policy of the Rochester Police
Department may be obtained by calling the Justice Department's
toll-free ADA Information Line.  The hotline was established by
the Attorney General as part of a nationwide campaign to educate
the public about the ADA.  The number is 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 
(TDD).  
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