Volunteers needed to inspect Police Custody

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, is looking for volunteers to become Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs). Volunteers are needed in the Barrow area and in the West of the county.

 The role of the ICVs is to make unscheduled visits to custody suites – the area and holding cells in which detainees are held – and carry out an inspection. The volunteers check that the areas are clean and safe, that all food and drink is in date, detainees have clean, dry clothes and that detainees are treated fairly and no human rights have been violated.

 Those who are interested will receive full training and custody visits are based around the volunteers’ availability.

 Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, said: “ICVs hold an extremely important statutory role for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

 “They provide an unbiased and honest view of what the cells and custody are like around the county.

 “The Police have a duty to protect all civilians including suspected criminals from harm and by having regular, unannounced visits from volunteers, I know that the Custody officers are doing their job well.

 “I have no doubt in my mind that the Force treat everyone in custody with respect but it’s always good to have an unbiased opinion so that if there is something wrong I can hold the Police to account and make sure the issue is resolved.

“I would urge anyone who has a few hours a week to spare to apply to become an ICV, more information can be found on the website at www.cumbria-pcc.gov.uk/what-we-do/custody-visiting  or call 01768 217734.”