1.1 Custody Visitors are independent members of the local community appointed by the Police Authority to visit police stations to:-

1. observe, comment and report on the welfare of people detained in police custody;
2. conditions in which they are held; and
3. the operation of the rules governing their detention.

1.2 Such visits provide an independent check on detained persons, the way police officers carry out their duties with regard to detainees and seek to secure greater public understanding and confidence in such matters.

2. Qualities for Appointment

2.1 There are no formal or special qualifications for appointment as an Independent Custody Visitor, and training is given to all successful nominees.

2.2 They should be independent local people of good character aged 18 or over.

2.3 They should be persons in whom the community can have confidence and from whom the police will accept fair criticism when it is justified.

2.4 Independent Custody Visitors must be capable of making objective unbiased observations and informed judgements.

2.5 They should have broadly based interests in the local community and particular experience and knowledge pertinent to the community.

2.6 The Police Authority consider it most important the Independent Custody Visitors reflect a variety of interests and character of particular communities and that there are wide nomination criteria with regard to age, gender, ethnic background, occupation and social background.

3. The Commitment Required

3.1 Visits are made without prior notice or arrangements to police stations that have facilities to detain individuals in police custody. Independent Custody Visitors are normally expected to make a minimum of six to eight visits per year in pairs.

3.2 Full training and support is provided before any visits are undertaken to police stations. As well as visits to police stations, Independent Custody Visitors will be expected to attend training sessions and meetings of their Custody Visitors Panel. The demands on Independent Custody Visitors time will not be too onerous but will require commitment, regular visits to police stations and Panel attendance.

4. Exclusions

4.1 Magistrates, serving or former police officers or special constables and probation officers may not become Independent Custody Visitors.

4.2 People may be excluded if their occupation has a direct involvement in the Criminal Justice System, for example solicitors.

4.3 Persons who have been convicted of an offence punishable with imprisonment within the last five years or who have ever served a term of imprisonment or detention would not be suitable.

(Such exclusions prevent any possible conflicts of interest for individuals and ensure the independence of the scheme).

5. Essentials of the Independent Custody Visitors Scheme

5.1 Independent Custody Visitors are local voluntary observers who provide an independent oversight of individuals detained in police custody.

5.2 They make unannounced visits to police stations having holding facilities.

5.3 They check on the well being and conditions of persons being detained at police stations.

5.4 They report their findings to the Chief Constable and the Police Authority.

6. Termination of Appointments

6.1 There are procedures for terminating appointments, other than voluntary resignations, if necessary, on such grounds as:-

1. lack of visits;
2. the attitude of the Independent Custody Visitor when undertaking visits – perhaps going outside the scope of the scheme;
3. committing a criminal offence which would exclude them from the scheme, and
4. taking up employment which would include them from the scheme.

7. Independent Custody Visiting in your Area

The day to day running of the Independent Custody Visiting Scheme is undertaken by Panels of local Independent Custody Visitors. Their main responsibilities are to ensure that the best use is made of volunteers’ valuable time and that individual police stations receive an appropriate number of visits.

8. Structure of Independent Custody Visitors Panels in Staffordshire

Northern Area Independent Custody Visitors Panel

The northern area Panels are merging to form one Panel.  They will be visiting the new Northern Area Custody Facility at Festival Park, Stoke as well as Police Stations in Hanley, Longton, Newcastle and Leek.

9. Further Information
Further information on Independent Custody Visiting in Staffordshire can be obtained from the Clerk to the Authority.

Staffordshire Police Authority
17 Eastgate Street,
Stafford.
ST16 2NF

Tel: (01785) 276130 or 276137