Translation institute raises 'grave concerns' with IOM police

https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/institute-of-translation-and-interpreting-raises-grave-concerns-with-iom-police/

4^th June 2024

Translation institute raises 'grave concerns' with IOM police

Warns of risk of 'eroding public trust in our legal and governance systems'

A UK-based association for practising translators and interpreters has accused the Isle of Man Constabulary of putting 'public trust in our legal and governance systems' at risk.

The Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) is the 'only UK-based membership association providing a professional home for practising translators, interpreters and all those involved in supplying language services'.

The company's Chief Executive, Sara Robertson, has published an open letter addressed to the Island's Chief Constable Russ Foster.

t follows a recent call out from the Cabinet Office for people who speak multiple languages to get in touch so government could expand its pool of interpreters for 'any and all languages'.

CALL OUT

The opportunity was advertised as 'an interesting and important community role on our diverse and multi-cultural island where you will be supporting those who struggle to access services due to language across all government departments'.

For the constabulary, this would mainly mean translating for people during the taking of witness statements, in police interviews and when appearing in court.

No formal qualifications were required to take up the role.

RISKS

The ITI has raised concerns with this saying the use of unqualified volunteers 'poses significant risks to members of the public and undermines the maintenance of appropriate standards of professional interpreting and translation in public services'.

In her open letter Ms Robertson said: "The use of unqualified volunteers... risks eroding public trust in our legal and governance systems."

She goes on to explain the role of the paid-for services provided by the ITI and encourages the IOM Constabulary to 'collaborate with language service providers' - something a spokesperson for the constabulary says, it already does. […]

 

 Bid to recruit more interpreters to support Isle of Man police - BBC News