Enhancing safeguards for accused persons with limited English proficiency through AI-generated translations, and interpreter contemporaneous note-keeping

Question:

Ms Diana Pang Li Yen: To ask the Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs whether the Ministry will consider (i) providing accused persons with limited English proficiency an AI-generated translation of their investigation statement in their preferred language, as a supplementary verification tool alongside existing read-back procedures prior to signing and (ii) requiring interpreters engaged in police investigations to keep contemporaneous notes of interpreted interviews until related Court proceedings conclude.


Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs:

1. The Police engage interpreters with the necessary qualifications and relevant work experience. Before an interviewee signs a statement, the statement is read back and interpreted in a language that he or she understands. The interviewee is also given the opportunity to clarify or correct the statement. This helps to ensure that the interviewee understands and confirms the contents of the statement before signing it.

2. This interpretation process has worked well for the Police. Nevertheless, the Police constantly explore whether new technology can improve the interview and statement taking process. It has considered the use of artificial intelligence (AI) translation tools, which could in theory make statement taking more efficient and accurate. However, existing tools are not accurate enough as they are unable to take into account factors like code-switching and colloquial speech which can materially affect meaning if not handled properly. The Police will continue to work with its technology partners to develop AI solutions which are fit for purpose.

3. It is difficult for contemporaneous notes to be kept by interpreters. The proper record should be the statement, which is explained to the person making the statement. If questions arise during court proceedings on the accuracy or conduct of an interpretation, the interpreter may be called to give oral testimony in court.