The county’s Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) this weekend celebrated the vital role Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) play in carrying out inspections of police custody suites and the individuals detained in them.
The award ceremony that was held in Staffordshire Police Headquarters in Stafford on Saturday (1 June) followed a one-day conference where volunteers received additional traiing on a new data protection scheme. Three highly-valued ICVs were recognised for their dedication to the cause.
The first award winner was Ces Brown, from Cheddleton in North Staffordshire, who has been a volunteer for 17 years and visits the Northern Area Custody Facility in Etruria. The second was David Hudson from Landywood who has also been a volunteer for 17 years at custody suites in the southern part of the county.
The third recipient was Rebecca Holmes who has completed five years’ service and joined the Southern Panel in 2008 as a graduate from Keele University where she studied criminology and psychology.
Matthew Ellis, Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) said: “Volunteering is a critical part of making communities work, and in this case helping to make the custody system work better.
“My thanks go to Ces, David and Rebecca who have given up their own time to work behind the scenes to make sure that welfare standards in custody are met, amongst the multitude of their other responsibilities.
“Their roles are important. Independent Custody Visitors make a difference – not just to the people in custody, but they also play promoting public confidence in the system, which is of course essential to making Staffordshire a safer and better place for everyone.
“I hope that the example set by Ces, David and Rebecca is followed by other people who want to give something back and play their part. Volunteering is a perfect way to make a real difference to Staffordshire”.
Since becoming the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire at the beginning of the year, Sue Arnold has put in place new procedures making the job of ICVs and custody sergeants easier. So far new measures are saving custody sergeants in the region of 388 hours per year, that’s nearly 50 days!
ICVs work to a strict code of conduct and are fully trained before they embark on their special duties.
They work in pairs and can check police cells – where they are granted access to detainees – at any time of the day or night to make sure custody rules are being observed.
Anyone interested in joining this unique volunteer army should apply now by calling Jane Milgate 01785 232245 or visit the PCC website at www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk or visit YouTube to find out more http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7s-akLN2J8.
