To overcome communication barriers with deaf people in the local community, a group of 10 Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) from North Wales Police Western Division undertook RNID's Start to Sign training to learn basic sign language skills.

As a result of the training, the officers are now able to tell deaf people their name, rank and provide basic reassurance in sign language when attending incidents or while out on patrol.

Divisional Commander for the Western Division, Chief Supt Geraint Anwyl outlined the reason for holding the course:

"We want to ensure that all sections of the community have equal access to Police services. By communicating a few simple phrases to deaf people we will hopefully be able to provide further help and reassurance to them if they need our services or are involved in incidents. This should go someway to help gain added trust and confidence."

The day was facilitated by PC Gwyn Parry, Diversity Officer from the force's Western Division who commented:

"It's become obvious in my role as Diversity Officer that officers have on occasions, encountered barriers when communicating with members of the deaf community. Being able to use basic sign language should make a real difference to how we reassure deaf people should they become victims of crime or need our help, and I think everyone involved today will really benefit from this."

The Officers were taught the importance of using correct facial expressions whilst using sign language, finger-spelling and basic phrases that will assist them in their work. Information packs were also provided and certificates awarded to everyone who took part.

All of the delegates found the course extremely worthwhile and were very complimentary offering thanks and praise for the training. Caernarfon Custody Sergeant, David Hughes states:

"People who are deaf or hard of hearing are a community within a community and I think it's a great idea that members of the police service have had this opportunity to learn something really valuable and worthwhile."

PCSO Emily Quaeck is also based at Caernarfon and said:

"I found the course really interesting and it will certainly make me look at things differently when I go back on the beat. It has helped me to appreciate the individual needs of people who are deaf and I think it will be great to take this back to my role."

Following the course, Gwyn emailed RNID Trainer Lyndon Williams thanking him for the course by saying:

"… the feedback was overwhelming. I have organised a few events over the years and never had feedback like this. There's no doubt that the success of the venture (for us) was the trainer's personality. I have never had anyone thank me for courses before!"