Volunteers needed to 'test out' Wiltshire Police custody
Could you become an Independent Custody Visitor?
People in Wiltshire are needed to help 'test out' the custody services within Wiltshire Police - and not by getting yourself arrested!
The Police and Crime Commissioner is looking for volunteers to become Independent Custody Visitors (ICV) and scrutinise how offenders are treated and the conditions of cells they're held in.
The volunteers often work in pairs and go along to Wiltshire's custody suites, like Melksham and Swindon's Gablecross, several times a year.
Their feedback is then used to make improvements and recommendations for the force as a whole.
Volunteers are given guidance and training but don't need to be experts in police practice.
Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said:
"Volunteers give up their own time to make a real difference to their communities and help make Wiltshire a safer place to live and work. I’m constantly struck by their outstanding efforts which are unpaid and often, unseen.
“The ICV scheme enables me to ensure the police force has the right facilities to provide an effective service - which is a main priority in my police and crime plan – as well as scrutinising the treatment of detainees and ensuring their rights are met.
“By giving approved members of the local community an opportunity to observe, comment and report on these matters, I hope to reassure the community, improve citizens' understanding of procedures at police stations and strengthen their confidence that these are being properly applied.”
In November, Wiltshire’s ICV scheme was nationally recognised under the Independent Custody Visiting Association’s (ICVA) Quality Assurance Framework (QAF) and presented with an award for meeting quality assurance marks.