NYPD celebrates National Deaf Awareness Month

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Officers respond to calls and emergencies. They also make connections and must communicate in many ways, including American Sign Language.

NYPD Community Affairs works to build bridges with communities. To recognize National Deaf Awareness Month, the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau is visiting members of the deaf and hearing-impaired community.

The unit has also marked a police cruiser with decals and signs for the community.

Detective Angel Familia is with the NYPD’s Community Affairs Bureau. "We can tap into diverse communities," Familia said.

The assignment on Tuesday from the 45th precinct in the Bronx took them to a school parking lot in Throggs Neck. The students attend St. Joseph's School for the Deaf.

Familia has made a special impression on them because he speaks their language.

"Both my parents are deaf. My first language was American Sign Language. We get to communicate with them in their primary language," the detective said.

Familia does educational events and also responds to calls and works cases when a sign language interpreter is required.

At St. Joseph's, the field trip to see the cruiser and meet officers is important to the students.

"Community Affairs has done great things to reach out and to provide access and teach that there are positive interactions with the police department," said Debra Arles with St. Joseph's.

NYPD Community Affairs works with school safety, clergy and crime prevention. They are looking to make more connections.

"Every day, I speak to community leaders on the phone. Our job is to build a relationship and connect to the local precinct," said Assistant Commissioner for NYPD Community Affairs Alden Isiah Foster.

The bureau and cruiser will be making other stops around New York City.