Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Arnold was delighted to welcome the new High Sheriff of Staffordshire, Humphrey Scott-Moncrieff, to the Northern Area Custody Facility where she accompanied him on a visit with Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs).
During his year in office the High Sheriff has a focus on raising awareness of the work undertaken by volunteers across the whole of Staffordshire, a passion that is shared by Mrs Arnold, whose portfolio of work includes volunteers who help scrutinise the work of Staffordshire Police.
Mrs Arnold and the High Sheriff were shown around the custody facility with ICVs Stan Harrison and Elizabeth Shenton, and were able to observe how they conduct their visits and check the welfare of people detained in custody.
Mrs Arnold said: ‘ICVs play a vital role in inspections of police custody sites and the people detained in them. They make a difference, not just to people in custody, but in promoting public confidence in the system which is essential to making Staffordshire safer.
‘I was delighted to invite the High Sheriff to take part in an ICV visit and showcase the work that our wonderful volunteers do here in Staffordshire.’
Humphry Scott Moncrieff, High Sheriff of Staffordshire, added: ‘It was great to visit the custody centre in Stoke on Trent. Thank you to Sue Arnold the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for arranging this visit.
‘I was shown around this excellent facility by Inspector Jason Allport and the Independent Custody Visitors. It was a very informative afternoon learning about the work of the ICVs and observing them carrying out their visits.’
Voluntary ICVs are appointed by the Police and Crime Commissioner to check on the wellbeing of people held in custody by Staffordshire Police. The Staffordshire volunteers make regular, unannounced visits to custody sites throughout the year.
Visitors work in pairs and can check police cells – where they are granted access to detainees – at any time day or night to make sure custody rules are being observed. They follow a code of conduct and are fully trained before they start.
The role is vital to ensure public confidence in Staffordshire Police treating the public with dignity and respect if they happen to end up in custody.
Anyone interested in joining, or finding out more, should email Jane Milgate on Jane.Milgate@staffordshire.pcc.pnn.gov.uk or visit the PCC website at www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/independent-custody-visitors
