Case Study: How a New York Police Department Is Using Translation to Transform Public Safety
The Buffalo Valley Regional Police Department (BVRPD) serves a diverse community where multiple languages are spoken, reflecting the broader demographic trends seen in the region. With Buffalo’s rich cultural tapestry—including significant Black, Hispanic, Asian, and refugee populations—language access is a critical component of effective policing.?
Ensuring clear communication with all residents, regardless of their primary language, is essential to fostering trust and equitable public safety.
For officers on patrol, this diversity brings both richness and challenge. In a single shift, an officer might respond to a routine traffic stop, assist a family in crisis, or provide aid at an accident scene—all while navigating language barriers that can turn even the simplest interactions into moments of uncertainty.
How do you reassure a shaken witness who speaks only Russian? How do you de-escalate a tense situation with a Mandarin-speaking family when emotions run high? How do you ensure that a Deaf individual can understand their rights?
For BVRPD, the answer lay in a partnership that would bring instant, seamless language access to the field.
Challenge: How to Serve a Diverse Community Effectively?
When law enforcement officers encounter individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP), immediate and accurate communication can be the difference between confusion and clarity, or even safety and danger.?
To serve its entire community effectively, BVRPD needed a reliable, 24/7 language access solution that could seamlessly integrate into officers’ daily operations and provide real-time interpretation across a broad range of languages, including sign language for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals.
Solution: Public Safety Translation
BVRPD partnered with LanguageLine. Our partnership enables officers to access professional interpreters in over 240 languages via the LanguageLine app or a dedicated phone line.
At a public meeting, Police Chief Dan Embeck stated:
“If we have anyone that has limited English abilities, we’ll call LanguageLine and they’ll get whoever they need, whether it’s Spanish, Mandarin, Russian, you name it. It’s good to have that service.”
With LanguageLine's on-demand access to thousands of professional linguists, BVRPD officers can now confidently engage with community members who may struggle to communicate in English, ensuring that every resident receives fair and effective policing.
The Impact of Police Translation
The implementation of LanguageLine Solutions has had a profound impact on BVRPD’s ability to serve its community:
Lewisburg Mayor Kendy Alvarez, a BVRPD Commission member, emphasized the department’s commitment to equitable service:
“The BVRPD, under the leadership of Chief {Dan} Embeck and the guidance of the commission, continues to focus on a commitment to serving our entire community. This includes recognizing the language barriers that exist when English is not someone’s primary language. Using this service will allow us to better engage with otherwise marginalized community members.”
A Model for the Future
With communities more diverse than ever, public safety must evolve alongside them. BVRPD’s partnership with LanguageLine Solutions is not just about translation—it’s about breaking down barriers, fostering trust, and ensuring that language is never an obstacle to justice.
With this model in place, BVRPD is proving that effective policing isn’t just about enforcement—it’s about understanding, connection, and making every voice heard.
Want to Bring Language Access to Your Department?
If your law enforcement agency or public service organization is looking to improve communication and engagement with diverse communities, LanguageLine Solutions is here to help.
Contact us today to learn how LanguageLine can help your department build stronger, more inclusive connections with the people you serve.