Johnson County: How a Leading Law Enforcement Agency Improved Communication, Reduced Delays, and Prepared for FIFA 2026

The Challenge: Language Barriers Slowing Critical Law Enforcement Processes

Like many law enforcement agencies across the U.S., the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office serves a diverse and growing population. In a county of approximately 600,000–650,000 residents, about 12% speak a language other than English.

A sheriff’s office plays many roles in protecting and serving the community—from responding to emergencies and investigating crimes to supporting public safety programs and building community trust—and one of those critical responsibilities is managing detention facilities.

Inside detention facilities, language barriers weren’t just inconvenient, they directly impacted operational efficiency, compliance, and the human experience.

Throughout operation procedures, deputies are required to:

• Collect personal and legal information
• Explain charges, bond conditions, and court dates
• Review and obtain signatures for official documentation
• Log and return personal propertyWhen a non-native-English speaker entered the system, these steps often slowed significantly. Previously, officers relied on bilingual staff (not always available in a 24/7 operation) or over-the-phone interpreter services, with long wait times and per-minute costs. 

As Detention Division Lieutenant Cory Smith shared:  “We don’t deal with people on their best day… If we’re not able to ease concerns and communicate clearly, that can create more stress—and delay the entire process.”

The Sheriff’s Office needed a solution that was fast, reliable, cost-effective, and usable in real-time, without adding complexity.

Finding Pocketalk: A Practical, Frontline Translation Solution

Johnson County began evaluating AI-powered translation solutions to address these challenges. After comparing multiple options, they selected Pocketalk based on several key factors:

Why Pocketalk Stood Out

• Real-time voice + text translation for clarity and confirmation
• Wide language coverage, including Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, French, and German
• Ease of use – trainable in minutes
• Flexible connectivity (Wi-Fi, hotspot, or cellular data) for secure environments like jails
• Portable devices that can be used anywhere in the facility

Pocketalk quickly became embedded in daily workflows across the detention lifecycle and produced tremendous results. 

At intake: Staff use Pocketalk to conduct interviews and gather required information in real time.

During custody: Staff can communicate clearly with individuals for questions, instructions, and support.

At release: Officers review bond conditions, court dates, and legal agreements—ensuring full understanding before signatures.

Property management: Staff accurately document and return personal belongings with translated confirmation.

Faster processing times

• Eliminated long waits for interpreters
• Reduced delays in intake, bonding, and release

Improved compliance and clarity

• Ensures individuals understand legal documents before signing
• Reduces risk of miscommunication

Better officer efficiency

• No need to locate bilingual staff or reassign personnel
• “Grab the device and go” simplicity

Significant cost savings

• Reduced reliance on per-minute interpreter services
• Devices “have paid for themselves” through avoided costs

Improved community experience

• More respectful, clear interactions
• Reduced stress and confusion during high-pressure situations

As the team summarized: “We can more quickly and effectively get through language barriers… from intake all the way through release.” 

Scaling for FIFA 2026: Preparing for Global Crowds

As a FIFA World Cup 2026 host region, Johnson County anticipates a major influx of international visitors—and with that, a sharp increase in multilingual communication needs.

Following the successful deployment of Pocketalk within detention facilities, leadership expanded its use to frontline officers, using FIFA-related funding to nearly triple the number of devices in the field.

“We’re expecting a huge influx of people… and with that will come language barriers. The more we deploy these, the more we can break down those challenges.”

Devices are now being distributed and tested ahead of the event, ensuring officers are trained and confident before crowds arrive. For agencies preparing for global events, the takeaway is simple: prioritize ease of use.

“Give me five minutes, and I can show anyone how to use it,” said Lieutenant Cory Smith, noting the technology has delivered a “10x impact” on daily operations due to its low cost and high productivity.

For the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Pocketalk has become more than a translation tool, it’s a critical piece of communication infrastructure, helping the agency better protect, serve, and communicate.