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Law Enforcement

Description

DOJ Law Enforcement Language Access Initiative 

The Department of Justice has launched its Law Enforcement Language Access Initiative (LELAI), a nationwide effort to assist law enforcement agencies (or LEAs) to overcome language barriers in their day-to-day work.  Led by the Civil Rights Division’s Federal Coordination and Compliance Section, in partnership with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, this Initiative provides technical assistance resources and tools aimed at helping state and local law enforcement provide meaningful language access to individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP), in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

LELAI also affirmatively engages law enforcement agencies that want to review, update and/or strengthen their language access polices, plans and training.  The Initiative seeks to strengthen the connection between law enforcement agencies and communities that may not speak, read, write, or understand English.  Investing in this effort not only assists LEAs in complying with Title VI, but it also promotes community and officer safety, collection of reliable evidence, and community trust.  If you are a law enforcement agency interested in improving your agency’s ability to communicate with individuals or communities with LEP, email LELAI@usdoj.gov 

 

Settlement Agreements and Language Access Policies

Alameda County Sheriff's Office, California

Dane County Sheriff's Office, Wisconsin

King County Sheriff’s Office, Washington

Denver Police Department, Colorado

Hazleton Police Department, Pennsylvania 

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona

Resources for Law Enforcement

Communication to Washington State Law Enforcement from the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices of Washington State (E.D. and W.D.) re: Communication Obligations of Law Enforcement Agencies – April 24, 2024

  • Information Regarding Law Enforcement Agencies’ Communication Obligation to Individuals with Limited English Proficiency – Begins on page 3

Letter to Law Enforcement Agencies re: Language Access – December 12, 2023

COPS Training Portal

  • Roadblocks to Communication (a recorded virtual training event), Dept. of Justice
  • LEP Resource Guide for Law Enforcement, Dept. of Justice and Dept. of Homeland Security
  • Advice of Rights Forms Translated into 40+ languages, Dept. of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation

Español for Law Enforcement, Dept. of Justice, National Institute of Justice