Norfolk Police Authority

Independent Custody Visiting

Sections

What is Independent Custody Visiting?
What is the purpose of Independent Custody Visiting?
What is the role of an Independent Custody Visitor?
Appointing Independent Custody Visitors
How to apply to become an Independent Custody Visitor
The Independent Custody Visiting Association (ICVA)

To find out more about the role of a Custody Visitor, read 'Through the Eyes of a Custody Visitor'.

What is Independent Custody Visiting?

Under the Police Reform Act 2002, all Police Authorities have a statutory duty to establish and maintain an Independent Custody Visiting Scheme which involves volunteer members of the public visiting police custody facilities and checking on the welfare of detainees and the physical conditions of the cells. Norfolk has had a Scheme in place since 1998 and there are five designated Panels ensuring visits are undertaken at all of Norfolk's custody facilities.

Day-to-day management of the Scheme is undertaken by a designated Scheme Administrator within the Police Authority's Chief Executive's office. The Police Authority's Custody Visitors Committee is responsible for maintaining a strategic overview of the work of Independent Custody Visitors.

What is the purpose of Independent Custody Visiting?

The purpose of Independent Custody Visiting is to:

Provide independent scrutiny of the treatment of detained persons and the conditions in which they are held
Secure a greater understanding and confidence within the local community in respect of the above matters

What is the role of an Independent Custody Visitor?

Independent Custody Visitors are members of the local community who, working in pairs, call at police stations unannounced at any time. With agreement, the visitors can speak to detainees about their treatment or conditions, and take up any issues of concern with custody staff. A short report of their findings is made prior to leaving the station. Their work provides the Authority (and in turn the local community) with assurance that anyone arrested by the police and held in custody is treated fairly and has access to appropriate facilities.

For more information on the requirements of the role, please refer to our leaflet promoting the scheme or review the Custody Visitor Role Profile

Who can become an Independent Custody Visitor?

Independent Custody Visitors come from all sections of the community. They must be aged over 18, reside in Norfolk and be a resident in the UK for at least 2 years prior to the date of application. No special qualifications are required as full training and support is provided. However, Visitors should be good listeners, non-judgmental and unbiased.

For more information on the personal qualities required to perform the role, please see the Independent Custody Visitor Person Specification.

Appointing Independent Custody Visitors

Independent Custody Visitors must be independent and impartial; and when making appointments care is taken to avoid any potential conflict of interest. Serving police officers and other serving members of police or Police Authority staff are unsuitable for this reason.
The same applies to Special Constables, Justices of the Peace (JPs), Members of the Police Authority and others connected with the criminal justice system.

After an initial probationary period of six months, Independent Custody Visitors are appointed for up to a further three years (as a review of all appointments to the Scheme is undertaken once every three years).

How to apply to become an Independent Custody Visitor

If you would like to apply to become an Independent Custody Visitor, please complete the Independent Custody Visitor Application Form, and the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (all available in the related articles section). These will need to be printed and returned by post as the application form must be signed by hand.

Associated guidance to assist with the completion of the application form is also available - see Application Guidance Notes.

If you would like more information about becoming an Independent Custody Visitor in Norfolk, or for general information regarding the Scheme, please contact:

ICV Scheme Administrator
Norfolk Police Authority
Jubilee House
Falconer's Chase
Wymondham
Norfolk
NR18 0WW
Tel: 01953 424455
Fax: 01953 424462
Email: policeauthority@norfolk.pnn.police.uk

The Independent Custody Visiting Association (ICVA)

The Independent Custody Visiting Association is a voluntary organisation that promotes the Independent Custody Visiting process nationally through advocacy, training, publicity and ongoing support to all involved in the process. They can be visited at www.icva.org.uk