NSW Police officers now have 24/7 access to interpreting services thanks to a new mobile app designed to facilitate more effective communication between police and community members who may not be fluent in English.
The Language+ app features more than 200 commonly used phrases translated and recorded in 29 languages.
It also provides officers with direct access to a dedicated team of certified interpreters, ensuring critical information can be conveyed quickly and accurately.
“The NSW Government and NSW Police Force are dedicated to supporting every community and as our multicultural landscape evolves, we’re evolving the systems that help police do their job more effectively,” said Minister for Police, Yasmin Catley.
“Being a police officer is more demanding than ever, but with new technology, we’re making it easier for them to serve and protect the community.
“Language+ gives every front-line officer instant access to professional Multicultural NSW interpreters, 24/7 – so they have the tools and confidence to keep our communities safe.”
The app was soft launched last week and is now available on 12,000 police devices. In that time, more than 1,500 users accessed the app.
The Language+ app was developed by Multicultural NSW specifically for the NSW Police Force and in consultation with community and frontline officers.
“We hope this app will help build trust with communities by minimising misunderstanding and reducing stress and frustration during emergencies,” said Multiculturalism Corporate Sponsor and South West Region Metropolitan Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden.
“The app should help officers save valuable time when communicating with members of the community.
“The phrases have also been specifically designed by certified interpreters for everyday interactions between police and people, whether they are victims or witnesses.”
According to the 2021 Census, about 30% of people in NSW were born overseas, and more than one-in-four speak a language other than English at home.
The app also helps streamline police resources, enabling officers to respond to incidents more quickly and efficiently, allowing them to move on to the next task.
