Payam Javan: The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office is rolling out a new language translation platform in anticipation of Super Bowl LX, which is expected to draw thousands of international visitors to the Bay Area. The initiative aims to help deputies communicate more effectively with residents and guests during large-scale events.

Partnering with global translation technology leader Pocketalk, the Sheriff’s Office launched a one-year pilot program that equips deputies with handheld devices and enterprise mobile app licenses capable of real-time translation in over 92 languages. The tools are designed to support one-on-one interactions in the field, providing secure and on-demand translation to improve public safety and community engagement.

“Clear communication is critical, especially during major events,” said Sheriff Robert Jonsen. “This technology allows our deputies to connect quickly and respectfully with anyone in the community, regardless of language.” The pilot program, funded by the Sheriff’s Advisory Board and approved by the Board of Supervisors, follows extensive testing and security reviews to ensure effectiveness and privacy.

Santa Clara County is home to residents speaking dozens of languages, including Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog, and Arabic. Officials note that the new technology will not replace existing investigative translation services but will enhance deputies’ ability to serve a linguistically diverse community, particularly during global events like the Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup.