A new translator service has been put to the test by Timmins Police.
This week, Const. Trevor Southcott held a mock event with Language Line Solutions, a California-based company offering year-round interpreting services in 240 languages. Some languages, including American Sign Language and British Sign Language, can also be offered via video interpreting.
Two international students from Northern College — Vikrant Dhiman and Karambir Singh — helped with the test run by reporting a break and enter.
"When confronted with the devised language barrier, Const. Southcott deployed the services of Language Line Solutions Ltd in order to offer seamless and proficient police services by the Timmins Police," said Marc Depatie, Timmins Police corporate communications coordinator.
"All pertinent details were collected by the officer by means of using the Language Line Solutions translator services on the office speakerphone.
"The testing procedure went off without a hitch. This will prove to be a genuine benefit for anyone requiring police assistance who does not possess the capacity to speak English."
The translation service was approved by the Police Services Board in June.
The cost is $1.70 CAD per minute and the contract has to be renewed on an annually.
