How should you handle a non-English speaking interviewee's statement?

• A. They must learn English before testifying
• B. The statement should be translated by a third party only
• C. They may write in their preferred language, which can be reviewed by a fluent officer
• D. The interview should be aborted if not English

Answer: (C)

Providing language access during interviews means respecting the interviewee’s ability to communicate accurately. If someone speaks a non-English language, allow them to convey their statement in writing in their preferred language and have a fluent officer review and translate it as needed. This approach helps preserve the meaning, reduces the risk of misinterpretation that can occur with ad hoc translation, and ensures the statement can be properly used in reports and investigations. Requiring English would unfairly bar participation and could bias the evidence. Relying on a third-party translator only might introduce errors, conflicts of interest, or confidentiality issues if the translator isn’t trained in investigative procedures. Aborting the interview because of language differences is unnecessarily punitive and undermines the person’s rights to participate. By allowing written statements in the preferred language and having a fluent officer verify them, you balance accessibility with accuracy and maintain proper record-keeping.