Norfolk Police Authority

Independent Custody Visiting

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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. Norfolk has had a Scheme in place for over fourteen years, and it comprises 5 designated Panels.

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

For more information on how a visit is conducted, please see the flowchart link.

What is the role of an Independent Custody Visitor?

Independent Custody Visitors are members of the local community who have no direct association with the Criminal Justice System.

For more information on the requirements of the role, please see 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 between the ages of 18 and 85 years inclusive and reside in Norfolk. No special qualifications are required as full training and support is provided. However, Visitors should be good listeners, non-judgemental 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

In appointing Independent Custody Visitors, 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 and a half 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