U.S. Attorney’s Offices remind Sheriffs and Police Chiefs of obligations under Federal Civil Rights Laws

Press Release

Ten complaints resolved over the last few years for failing to provide communication assistance to those who are deaf or hard of hearing

Seattle - U.S. Attorneys Tessa M. Gorman and Vanessa Waldref today sent a letter to Washington State Sheriffs and Police Chiefs reminding them of their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as well as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The letter notes multiple complaints about law enforcement agencies in Washington State failing to provide communications aids or services to individuals with hearing, vision, or speech disabilities.

"We want to be sure law enforcement personnel in Washington comply with the law so that officers truly serve and protect all our residents," said Acting U.S. Attorney Gorman. "Interactions with law enforcement can be high stress and high stakes encounters - effective communication is critical in these moments to protect everyone involved."

"To impart justice, law enforcement and prosecutors must ensure that victims, witnesses, and defendants are able to be heard," stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. "We value everyone's voice, and we're hopeful state and local leaders will continue to take the steps necessary to improve language access throughout the Evergreen state."

"We appreciate the U.S. Attorneys' focus to assist and help local law enforcement to follow ADA compliance, rather than the use of litigation only. We have the same goals and appreciate their partnership." Steven D. Strachan, executive director, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC).

The letter to law enforcement cites recent ADA investigations regarding services for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. In the last few years, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington has resolved a total of ten cases addressing communication with law enforcement officers and in correctional facilities. The complaints concern agencies and organizations across a broad geographic area: from southwest Washington to the Canadian border.

The office continues to receive and investigate communication-related Civil Rights complaints directly from individuals and referred by advocates such as the Northwest Justice Project.

In just the last month, DOJ finalized three voluntary settlements with the Everett Police Department, Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, and the Clallam County Sheriff's Office over allegations they failed to provide services to accommodate individuals' hearing disabilities. In February, DOJ finalized an agreement with the King County Sheriff's Office to improve language access services for people who are Limited English Proficient.

In hopes of preventing these civil rights violations, the letter provides resources for law enforcement such as best practices, frequently asked questions about the ADA, a specific ADA guide for law enforcement, and resources for improving communications with individuals with Limited English Proficiency.

Assistant United States Attorneys Susan Kas of the Western District of Washington and Molly Smith of the Eastern District of Washington handle non-criminal Civil Rights matters for the U.S. Attorney's Offices.

For more information on our Civil Rights and ADA work, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/civil-rights

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Updated April 25, 2024