The Whitewater Police Department recently received a community action grant of $1,000 offered through the Whitewater Community Foundation, according to information released Monday by the foundation.
The grant will be used to offset costs associated with efforts underway to improve communications between the department and members of the community who are unable or have a limited ability to understand and speak English, the release stated.
Improved communications with those who are unable to understand or speak English is a component of the department’s goal to improve community outreach, the release noted.
Among strategies that can help achieve that goal, the department has identified improved communication through interpretation services, which will help members of the department communicate with individuals with limited English language skills while providing them with assistance.
“Timely, accurate and reliable translation services are essential and vital to saving lives, now more than ever. Interpretation services have provided staff with the ability to assist members of our community during a wide range of calls for service, from simple information requests, to assisting victims of significant crimes, and providing emergency medical assistance,” the release stated.
According to the release, the Whitewater Police Department is a full-service, community-oriented and state-accredited law enforcement agency consisting of 24 sworn officers and 13 civilian personnel. The department includes a round-the-clock communications center.
About the Whitewater Community Foundation
As noted within the release, the Whitewater Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a stated mission of enhancing the quality of life in the Whitewater area through educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent expenditures. The organization provides scholarships and community action grants. To learn more about the organization, including opportunities to make a donation, and its programming, visit its website: whitewatercommunityfoundation.org.
Whitewater Police Department personnel, including Community Service Officer Derek Johnson, from left, Lt. Jacob Hintz, Police Chief Dan Meyer, along with Whitewater Community Foundation member Kat Mahwinney, and foundation co-presidents Roni Telfer and Therese Kennedy, followed by police department Capt. Adam Vander Steeg, foundation program coordinator Bonnie Miller, police department Det. Justin Brock and Capt. David Gempler gather for a presentation of a community action grant of $1,000 presented to the department by the foundation. Contributed photo.
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