What police need to do

Policies, procedures, and operations must take literacy issues into account. In civil suits, the courts have ruled that police departments have the duty to:

• adjust tactics for people who have low literacy skills
• make sure that people understand the information given to them orally and in writing
• tell suspects all necessary information related to their charges
• make reasonable efforts to end systemic discrimination

But these actions alone are not enough. Individual officers who are in contact with suspects, witnesses, and victims should make the effort to communicate as clearly as possible so the person understands the information. It’s a risk prevention measure – just like wearing gloves when helping someone who is bleeding.

Making sure that police and the courts are aware of the issues related to low literacy is only the beginning. The next steps are:

• Find ways to make the information you communicate – orally and in writing – easier for people to understand. A big part of this is explaining without using police or legal jargon.
• Arrange for support services for people with low literacy, to make sure that they understand fully what’s going on and what is expected of them.
• Form closer connections with literacy organizations in the community.

Training is needed to make police officers more aware of the effect literacy has on their work and criminal justice. An important part of law enforcement – the need for successful prosecution – is at stake.