Members of the Botswana Society for the Deaf have called upon Botswana Police Service to consider training police officers on sign language to be able to effectively assist the hearing impaired members of the community to access police services.
Speaking at the Information and Education Expo for the Deaf, yesterday (4/4/12) at Ramotswa, hearing impaired participants complained that Botswana Police Service was not doing anything to ensure that when they report cases at police stations they are appropriately assisted.
They said it was difficult for them to report cases as police officers who are supposed to handle their cases are always unable to understand them. They said police officers should be trained on sign language to interpret their messages when they report cases. They further asked that sign language be used on the police weekly television programme, Itshireletse, to understand the message that the program carries.
Responding to complaints from the hearing impaired, the Botswana Police Deputy Public Relations Officer, Senior Superintendent Dipheko Motube said even though Botswana Police has not started programmes targeted at the hearing impaired, efforts are being made to ensure that people in general are informed and educated on crime and crime prevention. He said broadcast programmes such as Itshireletse television programme and Crime File radio programme including publications such as Police Magazine, and annual reports are intended to provide information and education to everyone, including the deaf.
He said the deaf were equally affected by intrusive crimes such as robberies, break-ins and sexual offences, saying it was critical that they regularly receive crime messages and tips to be informed and educated.
He said efforts are being made to ensure introduction of sign language at police stations, saying they have already sent some police officers for training on sign languages. He said plans are also underway to use sign language during Itshireletse television programme broadcast and said other possible solutions to be explored include infusing crime prevention materials into the Botswana Society for the Deaf curriculum.