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Northumbria's
police stations are regularly visited by members of the
local community. These so-called independent custody visitors
are there to check on a variety of things, like the condition
of police cells, and to generally see that people being
held in custody are being well-treated.
The
scheme was introduced in 1986 as a way of ensuring that
people who were being detained by the police were being
treated fairly and their rights as detainees observed. Crucially,
it is members of the community who do the inspections, so
the whole process is independent and transparent.
It's
a voluntary job - but an important one. Comments made by
independent custody visitors and their impressions of conditions
in police cells are treated seriously, and are regularly
reported to and discussed by the police authority.
If necessary, any issues of concern are then taken up by
the Chief Constable.
Northumbria
Police Authority already has around 70 independent custody
visitors who make over 350 unannounced visits to police
stations in their area. Volunteers work in pairs and make
their inspections about once a month. Inspections can take
place at almost any time during the day or evening and most
take around 30 minutes.
Independent
custody visitors need a working knowledge of operational
procedures, detainee rights and the Police and Criminal
Evidence Act and undergo a short training course followed
by a series of visits with an experienced visitor to equip
them for the job. After training, volunteers generally remain
paired with an experienced independent custody visitor until
they are sufficiently experienced themselves.
Northumbria
Police Authority is keen to hear from anyone aged 18 or
over who might be interested in becoming an independent
custody visitor. For further information, please contact
Northumbria Police Authority at Gateshead Civic Centre on 0191 433 3993.
John
Mair is familiar with practically every police cell in Newcastle
- but for all the right reasons! Click here for more
Click here for more
............................
For
any enquiries about Lay Visiting contact Iain Burns on 0191 433 3993 or e-mail iainburns@gateshead.gov.uk |
