Welsh Language Rights Day: celebrating the 'transformation’ in the experiences of Welsh speakers

Today, Tuesday December 7, is Welsh Language Rights Day, a day for public bodies to raise awareness of the rights you have to use the Welsh language when engaging with us.

Did you know that you can:

• Talk to us in Welsh on the phone
• Write to us via letter, social media or email in Welsh
• Access information in Welsh or English through our bi-lingual web-site
• Complain to us in Welsh or English if things go wrong

In addition, our officers and staff also have the right to access services and resources in Welsh when working or volunteering with South wales Police.

From seeing a role advertised with us, to the recruitment process and throughout a career at South Wales Police.

We take our responsibility towards the Welsh language seriously and our Welsh Language Standards help us to reinforce this commitment. We fully recognise the right of individuals to live their lives through the medium of Welsh and we will not treat the language less favourably than English when we deliver our policing services.

This year we have established a new cohort of ‘Welsh Language Champions’ from different areas and departments across the force.

These individuals, who are passionate about improving Welsh language services and provision both within the organisation and externally, have volunteered for this role and their efforts with help with our ongoing commitment to providing a truly bi-lingual service.

There has also  been an increase at every level of organisational Welsh language skills recorded. 92% of our employees now possess a Welsh Language skill (from Level 1 to Level 5). 

Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan said: 

“I welcome the opportunity Welsh Language Standards day creates to showcase our Welsh language services. As an organisation we continue to develop and improve the policing services we offer, whether our communities choose to access these in Welsh or English.

“The fact that so many of our officers and staff want to learn and improve their Welsh is reassuring and inspiring. I’ve no doubt that the determination and passion shown by colleagues will help us achieve our goal of making South Wales Police a truly bi-lingual organisation.”

We don’t always get things right but are working hard to maximise opportunities to see, hear and use the Welsh language when conducting our business.

Please let us know where we can improve and where we are getting things right as this helps us promote best practice and address challenges.

To read our latest Welsh language annual report please click here.