Translation institute raises 'grave concerns' with IOM police
Warns of risk of 'eroding public trust in our legal and governance systems'
A UK-based association for practising translators and interpreters has accused the Isle of Man Constabulary of putting 'public trust in our legal and governance systems' at risk.
The Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) is the 'only UK-based membership association providing a professional home for practising translators, interpreters and all those involved in supplying language services'.
The company's Chief Executive, Sara Robertson, has published an open letter addressed to the Island's Chief Constable Russ Foster.
It follows a recent call out from the Cabinet Office for people who speak multiple languages to get in touch so government could expand its pool of interpreters for 'any and all languages'.
CALL OUT
The opportunity was advertised as 'an interesting and important community role on our diverse and multi-cultural island where you will be supporting those who struggle to access services due to language across all government departments'.
For the constabulary, this would mainly mean translating for people during the taking of witness statements, in police interviews and when appearing in court.
No formal qualifications were required to take up the role.
RISKS
The ITI has raised concerns with this saying the use of unqualified volunteers 'poses significant risks to members of the public and undermines the maintenance of appropriate standards of professional interpreting and translation in public services'.
In her open letter Ms Robertson said: "The use of unqualified volunteers... risks eroding public trust in our legal and governance systems."
She goes on to explain the role of the paid-for services provided by the ITI and encourages the IOM Constabulary to 'collaborate with language service providers' - something a spokesperson for the constabulary says, it already does.
FINITE ACCESS
In a statement to Manx Radio the police spokesperson said: "The IOMC currently has an arrangement in place with Language Line who provide police organisations, amongst others, with telephone access to a qualified interpreter.
"Due to our location though they cannot facilitate an in person and on Island presence."
However they conceded that, due to the Isle of Man's locale, 'there is sometimes finite access to niche skills even in urgent circumstances'.
They said: "When dealing with both victims and suspects of crime communication with them is of the utmost importance in order to protect the vulnerable and to tackle criminality, two things that are key to the constabulary’s strategy.
"In the make-up of the Isle of Man there is sometimes finite access to niche skills even in urgent circumstances, sourcing formally qualified individuals from the UK can take longer than time scales allowed in law or to obtain the best evidence.
"Therefore considerations are made in the interests of keeping people safe such are the challenges around the geography of being a small Island."
The Isle of Man Constabulary says it will review its organisational arrangements to ensure that its processes acknowledge the College of Policing and Police Approved Interpreters/Translators (PAIT) requirements.
STATEMENTS
Sara Robertson's letter to Chief Constable Russ Foster in full can be found HERE.
Meanwhile, the Isle of Man Constabulary's response to Manx Radio, in full, reads: "The Isle of Man Constabulary (IOMC) is aware and has responded to the letter from the Institute of Translation and Interpreting.
"We have confirmed that the original press release was put out in collaboration of the Isle of Man Constabulary with the Isle of Man Cabinet Office.
"The Cabinet Office administrates the scheme and it is important to recognise that this campaign was not purely for policing purposes but was in fact to assist those with language challenges to reach all IOM Government Services (IOMG) and therefore the successful applicants would go into an overall IOMG pool.
"Applicants were invited to submit greater detail including their experience, qualifications and information for vetting purposes.
"An expression of interest would not guarantee entry onto the scheme, or indeed future use in interpretation.
"The IOMC currently have an arrangement in place with Language Line who provide police organisations, amongst others, with telephone access to a qualified interpreter.
"Due to our location though they cannot facilitate an in person and on Island presence.
"When dealing with both victims and suspects of crime communication with them is of the utmost importance in order to protect the vulnerable and to tackle criminality, two things that are key to the constabulary’s strategy.
"In the make-up of the Isle of Man there is sometimes finite access to niche skills even in urgent circumstances, sourcing formally qualified individuals from the UK can take longer than time scales allowed in law, or to obtain the best evidence.
"Therefore, considerations are made in the interests of keeping people safe, such are the challenges around the geography of being a small Island.
"The Isle of Man Constabulary understand that interpreting is a specialist skill and have arranged a visit from the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) Operational Lead for Language to review our organisational arrangements and give tactical advice to ensure that our processes acknowledge the College of Policing and Police Approved Interpreters/Translators (PAIT) requirements.
"We can confirm that the review of our processes for our interpreting needs is purely due to the unique requirements to translate for policing purposes and want to reiterate that the recruitment is for a service to be provided for people for all of IOMG, not just the police."
