Columbia Police Fails to Communicate with Deaf Citizens

Columbia Police Department in South Carolina has reached a settlement with the Justice Department to ensure that persons who are deaf or hard of hearing receive sign language interpreters and other services necessary for effective communication when interacting with police officers.

The settlement comes after an investigation by the Justice Department found that CPD was not providing the required services to allow for effective communication with persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. The department serves the largest city in the state of South Carolina with more than 133,000 residents.

Under the leadership of Chief W.H. “Skip” Holbrook, CPD worked cooperatively to reach an agreement to ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities. The settlement requires CPD to provide auxiliary aids and services free of charge, including sign language interpreters, to people who are deaf or hard of hearing, within proscribed time frames.

Additionally, CPD will modify handcuffing policies to handcuff deaf individuals in front, safety permitting, to enable the person to communicate using sign language or writing. The department will also designate an ADA coordinator for law enforcement and develop a communication card to communicate with persons who are deaf or hard of hearing during routine interactions in the field.

“Our first responders play a critical role in protecting the safety of our communities, and we must ensure they can communicate effectively with all people, including those with hearing disabilities,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta.

The settlement also requires CPD to provide at least one TTY and one videophone at each CPD station and sub-station, conduct annual ADA training for CPD personnel, and adopt and publish grievance procedures providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints against CPD.

Those interested in learning more about this settlement or the obligations of public accommodations under the ADA may call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD), or access its ADA website at www.ada.gov.

CPD Settlement Agreement requires the department to comply with federal law, protect the civil rights of all its residents, and advance public safety.

Related Federal Cases