Freedom of Information Request Reference No: I note you seek access to the following information: Q1. The total amount of money spent by the force on translators/translation services for the last five years, or for the years for which information is available. Q3. Any memos, guidance or policy documents relating to the hiring or commissioning of translators/translation services. DECISION I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full. Q1. The total amount of money spent by the force on translators/translation services for the last five years, or for the years for which information is available. The list below details the amount spent on translation services for the last 5 financial years: 2007/8-531,695 2008/9-583,264 2009/10-334,131 2010/11-82,181 2011/12-416,978 (April - December 2011) Unfortunately, technical problems with our computer payment system resulted in a loss of spend data for 2010 which effects data relating to financial years 2010/11 and 2011/12. The above figures represent written translation assignments, which will include official letters requesting the co-operation of judicial authorities in other countries, when officers are required to travel abroad to pursue investigations. The range and nature of interpreting and translation services undertaken is a reflection of the increasing diversity of the population of London, currently estimated at 7.5 million people, some 31.5% of whom were born outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, according to figures supplied by the Office for National Statistics. The interpreting and translation services provided by the Metropolitan Police Service are supplied not only in respect of interviewing detainees but also the victims of and witnesses to crime.
It is essential that we communicate clearly with victims, witnesses and perpetrators to ensure that evidence brought before the court is as reliable as possible. Q3. Any memos, guidance or policy documents relating to the hiring or commissioning of translators/translation services. I attach a copy of a briefing note entitled: Working as a Translator for the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) that is sent to all translators who have expressed an interest in becoming an MPS translator. This provides a brief overview of the role of the translator within the MPS. Translator Recruitment Leaflet.. At present, there are approximately 60 translators providing linguistic support for nearly 50 different languages within the MPS. As you are aware, you can access all the Metropolitan Police Service policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), via the internet. There is additional information in the SOP entitled Working With Interpreters Guidelines for MPS Personnel that has specific information on translators, in particular items 3.3-3.5. Directorate of Resources
Working as an Translator for the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Introduction: Language & Cultural Services (LCS) LCS is responsible for the registration and deployment of all MPS translators. There are currently around 60 MPS translators, providing linguistic support for nearly 50 different languages. Translators are required to convert written documentation from one language into another language. The documentation may include: Official letters of request (where United Kingdom (UK) authorities seek permission from the authorities of another country to conduct investigations in that country) Statements taken as part of an investigation abroad Written evidence, including diary entries, letters, reports, etc On occasion, translators may be required to attend police premises for briefings or for work of a sensitive nature. MPS deployments are usually at very short notice as around 65% of work is custody-related and the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (1984) imposes strict time constraints on the detention of prisoners. Interviews need to be conducted within these limitations in order to establish the necessary course of action for the police. Similarly, witness and victim statements need to be taken as soon as possible after an alleged incident in order to begin the investigative process and bring offenders to justice. Working with the MPS Basis of Engagement There are no full-time translator posts within the MPS. All translators are engaged on a freelance, selfemployed basis. Currently, translators have no contract with the MPS and receive no retainer, holiday or sick pay. The MPS does not guarantee to provide translators with any specific amount of work. A Letter of Engagement is issued to candidates who have been successful at interview and received relevant security clearance. The MPS intends to replace these Letters of Engagement with Contracts for Services in the future. There are no restrictions on translators offering their services to other government departments or commercial enterprises for either full-time or freelance work, although the MPS will need to be informed of any significant, long-term restrictions in availability. For security purposes, LCS is unable to consider applications for the provision of services from agencies or from those representing agencies. Your Responsibilities MPS deployments are demanding, responsible and varied and will often involve working anti-social hours. MPS translators will have regular contact with LCS staff, police officers and court staff. As an MPS translator, your details may be passed to other government departments seeking linguistic support.
As an MPS translator, you can expect to do the following: Translate between your listed language(s) and English to ensure a high standard of understanding between parties without a common language Prepare Witness Statement Forms and Exhibit Labels to identify translations you have assisted with for use in ensuing court proceedings Attend court, if required, to give evidence on translation assignments undertaken as an MPS translator, or on any related translation work undertaken on police premises or in your own home Maintain a professional service at all times, founded on independence, impartiality and confidentiality Complete MPS standard forms and administration neatly and accurately What We Offer Fees The current list of MPS fees appear at Appendix 1 (page 5). The MPS will make no Income Tax deductions from fees paid to MPS translators, but HM Inspector of Taxes will be informed of the amount paid by the MPS Fund. National Insurance contributions are not payable to the MPS, although you may be liable for Class 2 or Class 4 contributions as a self-employed earner. Under these arrangements, a liability to pay VAT may be incurred. What We Expect From You In order to work as an MPS translator, you must demonstrate that you have the skills and qualities to provide freelance linguistic support to the MPS: Qualifications and Experience Fluent written and verbal communication skills in English and your listed language(s) o Please provide proven higher level educational qualifications in both working languages Proven translation experience o Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate experience in criminal law Knowledge of police, court procedures and legal structures in the UK and the country/countries of your listed language(s) Familiarity with the cultural influences encountered by users of your other language(s) Appreciation of, and conformity with, the ethical considerations for providing professional translation services to the MPS
Professional Skills Maintain up-to-date knowledge of your listed language(s) Complete regular research to maintain and develop your ability to translate to a professional standard Acquire and develop knowledge of domain-specific and specialist language(s) Use suitable computer software, including general word-processing and translation packages Ensure the security and confidentiality of electronic equipment, client documents and translated texts Communicate well and clarify any queries with the client(s) Maintain skills and systems to handle business aspects such as invoicing, payments and indemnity insurance Decline assignments that are beyond your competence level or that you cannot complete to a professional standard within the proposed timescale Provide translation work that accurately reflects the overall meaning of the source text in the required language(s) Ensure your translation work reflects the source text in terms of: o Register o Attitude and tone o Cultural conventions o Style o Type and purpose of the text o Role and relationship of the writer with the intended audience Review, revise and return translation work, and alert the client(s) to any outstanding queries with the text Ensure your conduct is consistent with the principles of professional practice, and your professional or registration body s code of conduct Personal Attributes Ability to cope with the demands placed upon you by handling information of a graphic and/or sensitive nature Ability to work to tight timescales Willingness to work anti-social hours Availability Translators will be engaged on a sessional basis and will not be paid for any period when they are unable to work. Translators will be required to notify LCS of any prolonged or regular period of absence when they will be unable to provide translation services e.g. holidays, sickness, regular work commitments, etc. In addition, translators will be required to notify LCS of any change in their personal details, address, telephone number(s), etc.
Recruitment to the MPS Applicants must have the legal right to remain indefinitely and without restriction in the United Kingdom (UK). For security clearance purposes, candidates must have been resident in the UK for at least three years immediately prior to applying. Applications will only be accepted through the Translator Application Form provided by MPS LCS. Successful applicants will be required to attend an interview at premises in central London, prior to which they will need to complete a questionnaire for security vetting purposes. Candidates who are not successful in the vetting procedure will not be registered as MPS translators. Successful candidates will be required to sign a Letter of Engagement before they are registered as MPS translators. In the future, LCS intends to introduce Contracts for Services to replace Letters of Engagement. Further Information To request an application form or to apply to MPS LCS, please contact us via e-mail LCSLanguagePolicy@met.pnn.police.uk
Appendix 1 Translation Fees - payable with effect from 1 st April 2010 Translations into English (per 1,000 words): CATEGORY A1 A2 B C D1 D2 BASIC ( ) 46.00 46.00 57.50 65.50 56.00 70.00 TECHNICAL ( ) 63.00 73.00 81.00 99.00 81.00 101.00 Translations from English (per 1,000 words): CATEGORY A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 D BASIC 50.50 57.00 64.00 70.50 82.50 123.50 123.50 TECHNICAL 81.00 89.00 98.50 105.00 125.00 182.00 184.00 MINIMUM CHARGE: 36.50 Category - Translations into English: A1 A2 B C D1 D2 French, Spanish, Italian Portuguese, Welsh, German, Dutch, Afrikaans, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Flemish Slavonic languages and Romanian All languages not falling within A1, A2, B, D1 and D2 Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese Chinese Category - Translations from English: A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 D French, Spanish, Italian Portuguese, Welsh, German, Dutch, Afrikaans, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Flemish Russian, Polish, Romanian Slavonic languages other than those in groups B1 All languages not falling within A1, A2, B1, B2, C2 and D Arabic, Farsi Chinese languages, Japanese, Korean, Ideographic Surcharges For very small jobs, a recommended fee equal to the rate for 200 words or characters may be paid. Alternatively a lump sum payment of up to 36.50 may be negotiated. Multiple small jobs should be aggregated and paid at the appropriate rate per 1000 words or characters whenever it is economical and reasonable to do so. A surcharge may be paid for urgent work, when the department both asks for and receives early delivery as follows: For urgent work (within one week) 15%
For very urgent work (within 4 days) 25% For immediate work (within 2 days) 35% The transit allowances are net, i.e. transit time is excluded. A surcharge of 15%, 25% or 35% may be paid for longer periods if the volume of work means that it must be done under equivalent pressure of time. A surcharge of up to 40% (according to the time and effort involved) may be paid for work calling for special attention to terminology, style or presentation, where a high standard is essential for reasons of policy or prestige. For translations into English, the surcharge should normally be limited to 20%, except where the translation is required for publication and in connection with the international conferences or negotiations. Word Count The total number of words of the target language is accepted as the word count. (As a word count of the target language is automatically provided by the computers used by translators, this is more appropriate to use than the source language.)