Chief Ted Baran/Gallaudet University Department of Public Safety: You Will Come Across

Anchor: The Washington metropolitan area has one of the largest concentrations of deaf and hard of hearing people in the entire country. And that can create challenges on both sides when they encounter police. But today, police recruits in Fairfax County got a valuable lesson that will help guide them. As Julie Carey reports in a special story you’ll see only on News 4, it came from a local police chief with a unique perspective.

Chief Ted Baran/Gallaudet University Department of Public Safety: You will come across people who have some sort of hearing loss.

Julie Carey/Reporter: Ted Baran was raised by deaf parents. He’s now the police chief at Gallaudet University. Who better than to teach this class at the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy about how officers can better interact with deaf citizens.

Baran: You know when they [deaf people] come across a police officer, the first thing they are feeling is fear because number one they can’t communicate with you.

Baran pointed to prime examples of what can go wrong. In August, the fatal police shooting of a deaf man in Charlotte, North Carolina, when he wouldn't pull over. And this video captured just three weeks ago shows a Canadian officer confronting a deaf man who repeatedly gestured to explain he can't hear.

Ted: Where this went wrong is that the guy is asking for a pen and paper. He wants to write down something to the officer. See he’s going like this “I want to write, I want to write, I can’t hear.”

Reporter: Instead the deaf man is eventually taken to the ground and cuffed, wailing in frustration.

Ted: To me this is a sad situation where the officer didn’t take the time nor the effort to try and communicate with this guy.

So one of Baran’s most important tips: Recognize the common signals a deaf person might provide.

Ted: Now deaf is like this (shows sign), and it’s pointing to your ear and to your mouth.

Reporter: Once that’s established, officers can figure out the best way to communicate. Pen and paper is one solution.

Reporter (on camera): Another tip from the chief: Even a cell phone can be used to bridge the communication gap. In a traffic stop for instance, the officer and the deaf person could send text messages back and forth. Reporter: This kind of specialized training is part of Fairfax County’s renewed effort to improve communication, avoid escalation.

Lt. Greg Malarkey/Fairfax County Police: The basic idea of slowing things down, taking everything into account, weighing all possibilities.

Reporter: It had an instant impact on these recruits. Joey Moratto has a plan.

Joey Moratto/Police Academy: I actually made a note that I am going to start carrying around a Sharpie, maybe a little white board.

Others credited this class for opening their eyes to those who can’t hear.

Ken Holden/Police Academy: I really never thought about interacting with anyone who wasn’t able to communicate verbally with me, so those are all great tips I am going to be able to use.

Reporter: In Fairfax County, I’m Julie Carey, News 4.