Disability rights
Police
If you鈥檙e being questioned or interviewed at a police station you have certain rights depending on your impairment.
Deaf, hearing-impaired or speech difficulties
The police should arrange for an interpreter to be present with you. The police can interview you without an interpreter if a delay would result in harm to people, property or evidence.
Learning disabilities
The police should only interview someone who has a learning disability when a responsible person (referred to as an 鈥榓ppropriate adult鈥�) is present. The appropriate adult should not work for the police and should have experience of people with learning disabilities. The police can interview you without an appropriate adult if a delay would result in harm to people, property or evidence.
Right to medical treatment
If you鈥檙e being kept in a police cell, you have the right to a medical examination by a healthcare worker. A healthcare worker may be a paramedic, nurse or a police surgeon (sometimes referred to as a 鈥楩orensic Medical Examiner鈥�).
If you do not want to be examined by the healthcare worker provided, you could be examined by a general practitioner (GP) that you choose - if they鈥檙e available. You may have to pay for this, and this payment will be noted down.