Welsh language scheme welcomed

A new scheme designed to offer better support to Welsh-speaking police officers has been welcomed by South Wales Police Federation.

The pioneering Welsh Language Scheme has been launched by the College of Policing and aims to further assist Welsh forces deliver against Welsh language standards while highlighting the college’s commitment to unity on both sides of the border

The college’s public business in Wales will treat the English and Welsh languages equally under the new scheme.

South Wales Police Federation chair Steve Treharne has welcomed the initiative.

He said: “Anything that offers additional support to our Welsh-speaking members should be applauded. We welcome this important move and congratulate the College of Policing for pushing ahead with what we hope will prove to be a ground-breaking project.

“This scheme sends an important message of the college’s commitment to police forces and their officers and staff across Wales.”

There is no formal obligation for the College of Policing to prepare a statutory language scheme in respect of the Welsh language but, as the professional body for policing in England and Wales,  it does heavily influence how police services across Wales are governed. 

Development of the scheme was led by North Wales Inspector Gethin Jones, himself a Welsh speaker, during a secondment to the college headquarters in Coventry.

He said: “I’ve really enjoyed working with the college to develop this important piece of work. Working with the college has made me see just how much they support policing in critical areas and it’s fantastic that people from Welsh-speaking communities will have access to that support too.”

The scheme outlines how the College of Policing will deliver some of its services to the public, as well as officers and staff in Wales. 

The Welsh Language Commissioner and the Welsh Language Standards imposed on Welsh police forces have played a critical part in the development of the scheme.

Work to implement the scheme is already underway, including translation of key documentation and support materials.

Find out more about the Welsh Language Scheme.