Sheriff’s office seeking citizen translators

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office encounters people from all walks of life, including visitors to the community from other countries who may not be able to speak English. This makes an emergency situation even more difficult—for law enforcement and for the people who need assistance.

To help in times like this, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office sometimes turns to community members who may be able to serve as neutral translators. The sheriff’s office hopes to update its list of people fluent in a foreign language who would be willing to help.

Anyone who would be interested in helping is asked to contact Cook County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Will Sandstrom at the office at 218-387-3074 or email will.sandstrom@co.cook.mn.us.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence spoke with Chief Deputy Sandstrom about the need for this assistance and to learn what providing this assistance would entail.

Rhonda Silence September 26, 2021