Story from British Deaf News

Police Community Support Officer shortlisted for deaf communications award

A Gwent Police Community Support officer has been named runner up in the regional Signature Awards because of the efforts he had made to ensure he can communicate with deaf people in his community

PCSO Michael Patterson was nominated for an award after learning level 2 BSL in his own time while he was working as an officer. Since gaining his qualification Michael has used his skills to become a liaison officer with his local deaf club. Michael was named runner up in the regional awards in June. Regional winners will now go onto the national awards, held later this year.

Gwent Police currently has seven officers who are trained to BSL level 2 and are currently rolling out Deaf PACT (Partnership and Communities Together) meetings across Gwent as well as recently launching a crime prevention DVD with the help of the BDA for the deaf community which is to be used nationally by all forces with their local deaf groups.

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