What is Custody Visiting?
Custody Visiting is a scheme that enables independent members of the local community to visit police stations unannounced to check on the welfare of people in police custody. For more information about this scheme contact Joanne Thornborrow who is the Scheme Administrator for Cumbria. She can be contacted on 01768 217416 or by emailing policeauthority@cumbria.pnn.police.uk. Any vacancies will be be advertised in the vacancies page on our web site and in newspapers in the relevant areas.
12th June 2010, Annual Independent Custody Visitor's Conference
The StoneCross Manor Hotel, was the venue for the recent ICV Annual Conference,
attended by panel members throughout West Cumbria, topics for the day included
a demonstration on personal safety and restraint techniques, Diversity Training,
and information on the roles of Custody Staff provided by Detention Officer at Durranhill
Dennis Tanner, and Custody Sergeant Jason McKenna from Kendal Station. Click here to
view conference images, here to view guest speaker Kusminder Chahal. Pictured below (left)
Panel Members Geoff McCreredy and Colin Hodgson from the Barrow Panel, and PC Avril Jones
who provided a demonstration on restraint techniques alongside Sergeant Jason Mckenna.
Who are Independent Custody Visitors?
They are volunteers who come from many backgrounds and sections of the community. They must be over 18 and either live or work in Cumbria. Serving police officers, special constables and anyone working for Cumbria Constabulary, along with any other people with a direct involvement in the criminal justice system, are excluded from the scheme to ensure its independence. The Police Authority is not allowed to pay Custody Visitors to make visits but expenses are reimbursed.
All newly appointed Independent Custody Visitors receive induction training before making any visits. Every year Cumbria holds an annual conference for all visitors and the five Police Authorities in the North West of England hold a regional conference each year which custody visitors from Cumbria can attend. All appointments are for three years and Independent Custody Visitors can now serve for a maximum of nine years in the scheme, please see the report below to view the changes approved by the Professional Standards Committee on 29 April 2010.
Visits to Police Stations
Independent Custody Visitors, who always visit in pairs, make random and unannounced visits to police stations in their area. The timing of visits is a matter entirely for them. On arrival at the police station they should be admitted immediately to the custody area. All visits are conducted under strict rules of confidentiality and detainees do not have to speak to the Independent Custody Visitors. After each visit they submit a report to the Police Authority. These reports provide an important source of information on the conditions in which detainees are held. This information is analysed and any areas for action identified. Reports on the operation of the scheme are submitted to the Professional Standards Committee every six months - to view the most recent report click here.
ICVA - The Independent Custody Visiting Association
ICVA is a national organisation whose objectives include promoting, developing and improving custody visiting. ICVA's website which can be accessed by clicking here contains information of interest to anyone in custody visiting.
Animal Welfare Scheme
Cumbria Police Authority operates an Animal Welfare Scheme to enable appointed Animal Welfare Visitors to observe Cumbria's Police dogs in action and to check on their welfare. If there are any vacancies these will also be published on the vacancies page of our web site. Animal Welfare Visitors are appointed in the same way and on the same basis as Independent Custody Visitors. Reports of their activities are included in the six monthly report on Custody Visiting submitted to the Authority's Professional Standards Committee.