Diversity Champion Award For Wrexham Sergeant
A Wrexham-based police officer has been recognised for her outstanding work with the Deaf community across North Wales.
Sergeant Laura Salisbury-Jones has received the Force’s award for Diversity Champion for her work with Deaf people and for having completed four British Sign Language courses in her own time.
In her current role as a Harm Reduction Sergeant for Wrexham County she works to identify, engage and safeguard some of our most vulnerable individuals.
Using BSL Sgt Salisbury-Jones is able to engage with the Deaf community and identify those in need of police support. She has attended numerous incidents where one party involved can only communicate effectively using sign language.
Head of Diversity at North Wales Police, Greg George, said; “Victims have been grateful to discover that a police officer is able to converse using BSL. Laura is an active member of the Police Disability Community meetings run by our Diversity Unit.
“In her own time she has completed levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 in BSL and plans to continue this amazing achievement by becoming the Force’s first fully qualified BSL interpreter.’’
Sgt Laura Salisbury-Jones will now work with officers to teach some basic tips to assist communication with the Deaf community and deliver an introduction to the language. She has also volunteered to work with the diversity unit and the North Wales Deaf Association to provide a link on the Force website on how the Deaf people can contact North Wales Police.
Sgt Salisbury–Jones said; “This award recognises the efforts I and my colleagues across North Wales have made to work with and support people in our communities.
“It is important that all communities are able to access the services North Wales Police provides and I would like to thank the Deaf community for their willingness to engage with us and I look forward to building on the relationships we have started to develop.”
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