Policy vs. Practice: What RPD’s Interpreter Failure Reveals

RPD Interpreter Access Review Series – PSS Case 2024-0084

What Happened

On January 18, 2024, a Deaf motorist was involved in a traffic accident in Rochester, NY. Despite clearly identifying as Deaf and requesting an interpreter through 911 relay services, responding Officer Ryan Fantigrossi:

• Did not provide a qualified interpreter

• Relied on her daughter to relay messages (which is explicitly discouraged by RPD policy)

• Spoke only to the daughter, not directly to the driver

• Left her without the opportunity to actively participate in her own legal encounter

the driver's own words: "I felt ignored."

The Broader Concern: Institutional Shortcomings

This incident was reviewed by multiple levels of RPD leadership — including the Professional Standards Section, command staff, and Corporation Counsel — and was ultimately determined to involve no wrongdoing.

This outcome raises serious concerns about whether the department’s internal processes adequately recognize and address disability rights obligations.

See full post at https://transparentlawenforcement.substack.com/p/policy-vs-practice-what-rpds-interpreter