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St David’s Day holds significance throughout Wales. It is a day to celebrate Welsh identity, culture, heritage and traditions. St David’s Day also serves as a reminder of Wales distinct cultural identity and strengthens the sense of pride and unity among its people, both in North Wales and across the country.
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for North Wales recognises the profound importance of the Welsh language in serving the diverse communities of North Wales and how its use helps the team to engage and connect with Welsh-speaking communities. The OPCC, like every other public body in Wales, is expected to comply with Welsh Language Standards issued by the Welsh Language Commissioner in Wales. It also ensures that residents who access the commissioned services and organisations that the OPCC supports can have their needs served in the language of their choice.
The Standards can be broken down into four categories: Service Delivery; Policy Making; Operational and Record Keeping. They cover a wide range of issues, including arranging meetings, answering telephones, developing a bilingual culture within the organisation, human resources and creating new policies. The office strives to ensure all public communications via social media, website and local news are fully bilingual.
Since his election to office in 2021, PCC Andy Dunbobbin has been learning Welsh and is always keen to practise what he has learnt and join in with the many cultural and community events where the OPCC is represented and where Welsh is a fundamental part of proceedings, such as the National and Urdd Eisteddfods, and county shows such as the Anglesey and Merioneth shows.
The office’s commissioned services also offer vital services to victims, including counselling, legal advice, and assistance navigating the criminal justice system. Like the OPCC, the providers of these services have a deep understanding of Welsh language and culture, enabling them to support victims in a culturally competent manner. Commissioned services such as Gorwel, DASU and RASASC employ Welsh-speaking staff to conduct sessions in Welsh and offer educational materials published in Welsh. By integrating the Welsh language into services and demonstrating respect for Wales’s cultural heritage, we and our commissioned services can empower victims to be supported on their own terms.
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said “As we celebrate St. David's Day, our national day honouring the patron saint of Wales, we also reflect on the importance to us all the Welsh language and culture.
“Since being elected in 2021 I have supported the principle that my office and I must treat Welsh and English on the basis that they are equal, and every Welsh speaker in North Wales deserves to receive high quality policing services in their first language. I continue to recognise the importance and value of the Welsh language and take my commitments under the Welsh Language Standards very seriously. The Welsh language and Welsh culture is important to me, and I am incredibly proud of my Welsh identity and roots. With this in mind, my team and I are constantly looking for ways to improve the bilingual services we offer.
To read more about the processes and procedures in the OPCC to ensure compliance with Welsh Language Standards, please follow this link to our annual Welsh language monitoring report.