How To Become An Independent Custody Visitor

There are currently no Independent Custody Visitor vacancies.

Who can be an Independant Custody Visitor?

Visitors come from all sections of the community. As a police authority we seek to ensure that the overall set of Independent Custody Visitors is representative of the local community and provides a suitable balance in terms of age, gender and ethnicity. No special skills are required as suitable training is provided but you should be a good listener, non-judgmental and unprejudiced. You should be able to make informed judgments which the police will accept as fair criticism when it is justified.

Due to a potential conflict of interest, serving police officers and other serving members of police or police authority staff will not be eligible to serve as Independent Custody Visitors. The same reasoning applies to Special Constables, Justices of the Peace and Members of the Police Authority.

How much of my time would it take up?

Visits are always made in pairs and at a time convenient to the Visitor. Visits to police stations are unannounced and random and the length of each visit depends on how many people are in custody. At the end of each visit the Custody Visitor will prepare a report, copies of which are sent to the Police Authority and Constabulary. The Visitors also retain their own copy of the report, and one copy is left at the station. As well as the visits, quarterly panel meetings are held for Visitors at which topical items are discussed.

If you would like more information about Independant Custody Visiting, please contact us.