PSLPD offer communication card for those with hearing loss
Port St.Lucie, Fl (treasurecoast.com)-The Port St. Lucie Police have designed and are offering communication cards for those with hearing loss.
PSLPD has designed a communication card to help our police officers and citizens with hearing loss communicate better on traffic stops. If you would like to obtain a communication card, please stop by the Port St. Lucie Police Department.
They also have a brochure and this is what it says:
National statistics show individuals with “severe” hearing loss make up 16% of the national population. Additionally, 1% of our national population has been diagnosed as “profoundly” deaf. These statistics would portray the Treasure Coast (with an approximate population of 469,000 residents) to have approximately 75,040 residents inflicted with “severe” hearing loss and 4,690 to be deaf.
With an approximate population of 167,000 residents, the City of Port St. Lucie would average 75,000 residents having “severe” hearing loss, with 1,670 of those residents being deaf. With these statistical numbers, you can certainly expect to come into contact with a citizen who is deaf or hard of hearing at sometime in your law enforcement career.
A routine law enforcement encounter ( such as a call for service or a traffic stop ) with a citizen who has a hearing disability could present a situation which might be viewed by an officer as a safety threat if misinterpreted. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA )of 1990, the Port St. Lucie Police Department has adopted a detailed policy regarding law enforcement officer contact and communication with citizens who are afflicted with hearing disabilities.
You can find the brochure online.
