Volunteers Wanted to Check Detainee Welfare

OPCC volunteers at last year's volunteer celebration event

Are you interested in ensuring the welfare of people in custody and transparency within the police? The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner is currently looking for Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) to help scrutinise the way Cheshire Constabulary ensures the welfare of detainees. As well as speaking to people in custody, ICVs speak to staff at the custody suite and health care professionals in order to ensure the overall environment is suitable to ensure detainee welfare.

All Police and Crime Commissioners are required to operate an ICV scheme, which provides an independent oversight of how people are treated when in police custody. There are currently three custody suites operated by Cheshire Police in Blacon (Chester), Runcorn and Middlewich. ICVs make unannounced visits and speak with detainees, ensuring that they have received access to things they are entitled to including food and drink, solicitors and appropriate adults, and phone calls.

As a result of their observations on custody suite visits, ICVs are able to make recommendations which require the police to improve their detainee welfare processes and standards. They are in a unique position to influence the way Cheshire Constabulary operates and assist the Commissioner in holding the police to account.

Visits are always conducted in pairs on a rota basis, meaning ICVs will carry out visits with different people. They can be arranged at the convenience of the ICVs carrying out the visit and will typically take an hour to complete. Initial training is provided, as well as any follow-up training an ICV feels they may need.

Ian Berry, Independent Custody Visitor, said:

"This is a great opportunity to do something different, interesting and rewarding. If you work, it will give you a change from the day to day work. If you don't work it will provide an activity to enhance your life, using your valuable skills and experience. I would encourage anyone to give it a try!"

To find out more about the role of an ICV and to apply, please visit here. If you would like an informal chat about becoming an ICV please contact pcc@cheshire.police.uk FAO Karolina Kardas, Research and Volunteer Support Officer.

Applications must be received by 23:59 on Sunday 10 March.