Taiwan introduces online interpretation service for reporting crimes

A virtual interpretation service will be launched Sept. 1 in six cities and counties in Taiwan to help foreign nationals report crimes, the National Police Agency (NPA) said Friday.

The service will be introduced on a trial basis in Taipei and New Taipei cities and Nantou, Pingtung, Hualien and Taitung counties until February 2022, the NPA said.

Through an online system, interpreters will help foreign nationals complete the required documents for filing a crime report and will translate any police documents related to such cases, the NPA said.

The pool of 1,384 interpreters who will provide the service with effect from Sept. 1, includes Vietnamese and Indonesian speakers, the NPA said, adding that many of them are college teachers and naturalized Taiwan citizens.

The aim is to provide as much assistance as possible to foreign crime victims in Taiwan and to improve the police’s response to such cases, the NPA said.

After the six-month trial period, the NAP said, it will decide how to expand the service to the rest of the country and will work to build the pool of interpreters.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel