Hampshire Police accused of ‘tokenism’ over voluntary BSL teacher role

Hampshire Constabulary has faced criticism from the Deaf community after advertising an unpaid position for a British Sign Language (BSL) teacher to support their staff.

The voluntary role, which requires between two to 15 hours a week, will see the successful candidate deliver BSL and Deaf awareness sessions to Police Link Officers for Deaf people (PLODs).

“Your responsibilities will be but not limited to: to assist with the training and [continuing professional development] of Link Officers in order for them to maintain a minimum of Level 2 standard and develop those interested to progress to L3.

“To assist with training of other selected officers/staff in BSL with a view to being recruited as Link Officers.

“To assist with the provision of Deaf Awareness Training as required by the Constabulary,” the job description reads.

It also states that applicants must be accredited to teach BSL “to a minimum of L3 BSL standard” from either Signature or iBSL.

However, branding the job advert as “tokenistic”, Deaf campaigner Sarah Cassandro tweeted: “Seriously, is this for real? A volunteer to teach the bobbies BSL for free?

“PAY Deaf people. They will probably even recruit a hearing person to teach BSL by the looks of it!”

Seriously, is this for real? A volunteer to teach the bobbies BSL for free? PAY Deaf people #commonsense #tokenism @HampshirePolice pic.twitter.com/oJstTk20Fl

— SarahCassandro (@sazcass) May 26, 2022

Another commented: “This is completely disgraceful. All you’ll get is a hearing person who’s watched Mr Tumble…

“Why would you expect a deaf TEACHER to work for nowt? Disappointing and rude.”

Other Deaf people have taken to Twitter to describe the vacancy as “shocking” and “terrible”.

In a statement issued to The Limping Chicken, a spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: “We have processes in place which have ensured our Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police Link Officers for Deaf People (PLOD staff/officers) have been trained via people that we have funded through recognised BSL training agencies.

“This position aims to enable Link officers to maintain their existing skills while forming part of their Continuing Professional Development. All of our Link officers have previously had the force’s support in funding their initial qualification through BSL levels 1 and 2.

“This is just one of a range of volunteer positions the Constabulary offers, which are open to people who wish to apply.”

They went on to add the role is “not exclusively offered to deaf individuals” and is instead “open to anyone with the necessary qualifications and experience”.

The spokesperson continued: “Inclusion is vitally important for Hampshire Constabulary and our officers and staff are working to provide the best service that we can to all of our communities.

“We have a significant history in providing a quality service to our deaf communities, having established the first Link officer scheme in the country in October 1999.”

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is an award-winning Deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.