2005-2006 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury Report Reducing Language Barriers in Domestic Violence Calls

Conclusions 22

• CL1 Page 9
  Some officers ask children, friends, or neighbors to interpret on behalf of a limited English speaking person, which is not supported in the Domestic Violence Protocol.
• CL2 Page 10
  There is inconsistency among agencies in terms of training to keep officers up-to- date with Domestic Violence Protocol changes as developed by the Domestic Violence Council. One Agency relies on voluntary use of an internal website to allow officers to stay current on the Protocol.
• CL3 Page 10
  The immigrant and limited English speaking population in the County continues to grow and change. Some Agencies do not collaborate with community-based organizations that provide domestic violence services and programs relevant to this population.
• CL4 Page 11
  One Agency does not have an agreement with any domestic violence community-based organization to review police reports in order to facilitate Organization follow-up contact with victims for support and services.
• CL5 Page 12
  2000 U.S. Census Bureau Statistics, Santa Clara County, California, http://www.gcir.org/about_immigration/us_counties.htm, (last visited May 1, 2006).
• CL6 Page 12
  Police Chief’s Association of Santa Clara County, Domestic Violence Protocol for Law Enforcement 2006.
• CL7 Page 12
  Language Line Services (2004), Commonly Asked Interpretation Questions and Answers, http://www.languageline.com/pdf/QnA_Interpretation_062204.pdf, (last visited May 3, 2006).
• CL8 Page 12
  California Alliance Against Domestic Violence, Linking Communities: A Multicultural & Diversity Resource Guide 2003-2004, http://www.caadv.org/docs/linking.pdf, (last visited April 30, 2006).
• CL9 Page 12
  National Advisory Council on Violence Against Women (2001), Additional Justice System Responses, Chapter 5 in Toolkit to End Violence Against Women, http://toolkit.ncjrs.org/files/fullchapter5.pdf, (last visited April 18, 2006).
• CL10 Page 12
  Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), Domestic Violence Learning Domain 25, South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Academy Training Presentation.
• CL11 Page 12
  Santa Clara County Domestic Violence Council, Death Review Committee Final Report, January 1 – December 31, 2005. Interviews
• CL12 Page 14
  Does the department use an outside agency for language interpretation during domestic violence related calls? If so, what agency? If not, why not?
• CL13 Page 14
  Are the officers ever required to use the outside language interpretation agency? If so, under what conditions is that required?
• CL14 Page 14
  How well would you say outside language interpretation agencies function in your experience? What issues do the officers have when required to use an outside agency for language interpretation?
• CL15 Page 14
  How often are the officers and law enforcement staff required to attend domestic violence training?
• CL16 Page 14
  What type of domestic violence training is offered to your officers? 12a. Who conducts the training? 12b. What topics were covered during training in 2005? 14 Appendix A – Continued
• CL17 Page 15
  Are the patrol officers trained yearly on the changes in the Domestic Violence Council protocol? If not, why not?
• CL18 Page 15
  Do the officers ask all parties during a domestic violence related call if they want a domestic violence advocate to call them?
• CL19 Page 15
  Do the officers carry and hand out the Domestic Violence Resource Card to each party?
• CL20 Page 15
  During a domestic violence investigation, to which domestic violence community- based agency does your department send police reports? If not, why not?
• CL21 Page 15
  Are domestic violence police reports concerning children sent to Children Protective Services? If not, why not?
• CL22 Page 15
  Does your department coordinate a Domestic Violence Response Team (such as officers, social workers, and advocates) with other agencies? If so, with which agencies? 15