The Police Authority is looking to recruit independent members of the community, who will make unannounced visits to police stations in Cumbria, to check on the welfare of people in custody.  Visits are made by pairs of Independent Custody Visitors.  These visits provide public reassurance and help the police Authority to gain a clear insight, from an independent standpoint, into the running of custody facilities in the county.  Applications from people in the north of the county, who would be asked to make visits to Penrith and Carlisle custody facilities, are urgently required.

Independent Custody Visitors are expected to maintain their impartiality at all times.  They don't take sides, but look, listen and report on what they find.

Independent Custody Visitors are volunteers who receive no payment. though their expenses are met.  Training is provided before the Visitors are allowed to make any visits.

Anyone who is at least eighteen years of age and lives or works in Cumbria may apply.  However, anyone in the police service, such as police officers, special constables, police staff and members of the Police Authority are ineligible.  This is to ensure impartiality and maintain the integrity of the scheme.

To be appointed to the Scheme, which operates throughout the County, applicants must complete an application form and attend for an interview.  The closing date for completed application forms is Friday 3 October 2008..    Anyone requiring further  information should contact -

Stuart Edwards
Cumbria Police Authority
Police Authority Office
Carleton Hall
Penrith
Cumbria CA10 2AU.

Telephone - 01768 217732
E-mail - stuart.edwards@cumbria.pnn.police.uk

Website - http://www.cumbriapoliceauthority.org.uk

Related Documents:

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Monitoring Form
Application form
Person Specification
Job Description
Information for Applicants

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.  The scheme is statutory and was introduced to ensure that people in police custody are being treated fairly and that their rights are observed.

Who are the 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 and special constables, along with any other people with a direct involvement in the criminal justice system, are excluded from the scheme to ensure its independence.

Visits to Police Statations

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 environmental and welfare conditions in which detainees are held.  This information is analysed and areas for action adentified.

Becoming a Custody Visitor

The Police Authority is always keen to hear from anyone who might be interested in becoming a Custody Visitor.  For further information please telephone Stuart Edwards on 01768-217732 or e-mail stuart.edwards@cumbria.police.uk

ICVA is a national organisation whose objectives include promoting, developing and improving custody visiting. Cumbria Police Authority is a member of ICVA, which means that all of Cumbria's Custody Visitors also have the benefits of membership.

ICVA's website includes a lot of information of use to both Custody Visitors and anyone interested in custody visiting.