CHP Officer Helps Woman Communicate With DMV Workers Using ASL

The California Highway Patrol shared video of an act of kindness by one of their officers in the Central Los Angeles division Tuesday.

[luxurycarkey]

He is wearing his badge with honor & integrity...may his journey be of safe travels

[KindnessGal]

I don’t understand why no one offered her a pen and paper! But good on the Officer! A very kind and wonderful person!

[cheshirewitch]

I love this. When I was working customer service I had a woman and her teenage son come through, and he talked to me while his mother didn’t, I realized she was deaf and he usually handled transactions for her. I dont know a lot of ASL, but I know some things. As she left she signed "thank you" to me reflexively, and I replied in ASL " you're welcome". She looked shocked, and I told her son I know just a little bit and they both smiled at me. My manager said she was a regular, so I brushed up on my conversational ASL so the next time she came in I was able to interact with her more. It was awesome, and it made her day.

[mrsrx]

Now that is what policing looks like .. give that fkn guy a medal, make him famous .. to protect and serve

[fhfs]

Seriously..Nobody thought of giving her"A pen & notepad " nobody😑.

[buzzbronx]

My mother is hearing impaired and seeing this Officer makes me cry. This is a true gentleman and I pray that Jesus will bless him and his family.

[Backyardmech]

This man is the hero of the day. He recognized a disability and took over when he saw there was no thought of how to deal with the communication barrier. Even paid for the ID himself. This man definitely needs this recognition in his office as a way up with his skill.

[houchi]

This is what a police officer should be doing on a daily basis. Helping people.

[jeyonce]

So she is hearing impaired and they didn't have the adequate accommodations they are supposed to and then they call the police and report a disturbance? 🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️

[victorharden]

We need more like him. Not the money... the humanity.

[robiny.]

Hearing people don’t understand the Deaf culture and the VERY expressive way they communicate. It may look like she’s going to cause a problem, yet again Deaf people express themselves what looks to us as Very dramatic. I will say I know how frustrating it can be for people who are Deaf to live in this hearing world. My roommate was Deaf and I took ASL (American Sign Language) in college. I’m so happy to see that this officer took the time to learn ASL.

[APlife]

When people are acting out there’s typically an underlying reason....calling the cops isn’t always the needed response. In this case it was a blessing for this lady that right cop responded. Awesome

[UnknownUnknown-kgyw]

This is what I call serve and protect. He deserves that logo on his patrol vehicle. Can't say the same for all officers.

[Terrakinetic]

I would have expected the DMV clerk to go, "here's a 10 year old bic pen and half a sticky note. What do you want?"

[philipbohi]

Signing translation: “thanks man, these people are idiots”
Him: “I know right? The DMV sucks”

Edit: 😆The comment is a JOKE in case you think otherwise!! That is NOT what is being communicated. Apparently some people don’t get that, and here it is two years later and I’m editing the comment. And for additional perspective, one of my neighbors works for the DMV and while some of her coworkers do suck, and that job - like any job - can suck, what sucks the most is dealing with that small percentage of the PUBLIC who really really suck - we all know some of them, and we all understand. Like the old joke says, if you’re playing poker and look around the table and can’t spot the sucker - it’s probably you. Don’t be That Person, and don’t take online comments too seriously.

[iamwinningrightnow]

Was the DMV fined? Last i checked, ADA applies to the DMV.

[graveeverystep]

I always wished that sign language was one of the options in high school and college when having to choose a language. Sign language would be much more useful in situations where people can’t talk in an emergency, from far away, underwater and in space.

[mountainmischief]

I have a couple customers like this, one is deaf and the other suffered a stroke. Both are extremely kind and highly apologetic for having to help them. I feel bad because I can only imagine how hard it can be to communicate at other establishments and that they have to apologise for something out of their control. I am always happy to take the time to help them.

[zoehicks]

Everybody should learn at least SOME ASL (or whatever sign language of your country). Can you imagine how frustrating life must be for this woman? Barely anybody knows her only language and that must feel so damn lonely. I’m finishing up my fourth year of ASL and the Deaf community is full of so many wonderful people who make it so worth it to learn the language 💖

[basementmidi]

What an exemplary example of a classy human being who happens to be a policeman. Truly an example for us all!