경찰 통역인 선발제도 개선 및 교육 필요성에 관한 소고

Abstract

Interpreters are increasingly engaged in police investigation. The number of interpreters registered with police is over 3,000, but the majority of them are untrained interpreters who occasionally work for the police, often lacking interpreting skills and awareness about their role in police interviews. The current situation is not surprising given the lack of police interpreter training and proper screening before hiring them. In recent years, Korean National Police Agency has offered some ad-hoc training and online training for interpreters. With a view to developing their police interpreting competence and enhancing their understanding about their role as interpreters in police interviews, Korea National Police Agency offered a five hour long training for interpreters based in Metropolitan area last year. The participants were surveyed about their training experience and interests in further training and interpreter certification. Drawing on the questionnaire-based survey of 168 interpreters, this paper canvasses police interpreters’ views on interpreter training and certification. The majority of the interpreters found training satisfactory and were interested in further training, with some expressing interest in longer training. They also supported professional recognition of police interpreters through certification. The results strongly suggest that it is high time for the police to make an investment in organizing mid-to-long term interpreter training programs and establishing a proper screening or certification program, which would contribute to improving the quality of police interpreting services.