The vital role Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) play in carrying out inspections of police custody suites and the people detained in them was marked at a special event last weekend.
Thirteen delegates, 12 serving ICVs and a representative from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner attended the Annual Custody Visiting Conference which was held at the International Conference Centre in Birmingham on Saturday, 22 November. Around 100 people from around the UK and Ireland attended the event.
Guest speakers at the conference included Heather Hurford, Lead Inspector from the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, and Dorset PCC Martyn Underhill, who leads on ICVs for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners.
Several important issues – such as mental health and deaths in custody-were discussed at the conference.
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Arnold said: “Independent Custody Visitors 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.
“ICVs provide vital work behind the scenes of Staffordshire police in making unannounced checks on conditions of Staffordshire police cells and the welfare of people in custody.
“In Staffordshire, we’ve made their work easier by giving them direct access to electronic custody records – which has also freed up hundreds of hours of police time.”
The visitors 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.
