Recruitment

What is an Independent Custody Visitor?

Independent custody visitors are volunteer members of the local community, appointed by the Police Authority, who visit police stations and custody suites to check on the welfare of people held in police custody. They observe, comment upon and report on the conditions in which people are detained at police stations. Visitors must maintain their independence and impartiality. They do not take sides but look, listen and report on what they find.
The role of the custody visitor offers protection to both detainees and the police, and reassurance to the community at large.

When and where are visits made?

• All visits should be random and unannounced.
• They should always be undertaken by pairs of custody visitors.
• Visits should determine whether the regulations governing detention have been complied with, and the interests of detainees properly considered.
• Visits should be made at a frequency of between once per week and once per month in accordance with the general directions agreed by the Police Authority.
• There are currently 8 custody suites located across the Merseyside Police Force area and ,on appointment, each visitor is allocated to an area.

Who can apply to become an Independent Custody Visitor?

Whilst there are no formal qualification requirements for becoming an Independent Custody Visitor, in order to prevent any possible conflict of interest, and to maintain the independence of this work, the following basic appointment considerations will apply.
All applicants:

• Must be over 18 years of age.
• Must live or work in the Merseyside Policing area.
• Must be able to communicate effectively.
• Must have the ability to work in a non-discriminatory way, and be able to demonstrate independence and impartiality.
• Must not be Magistrates, serving police officers or civilian employees of a police service, members of staff from police authorities or special constables.
• Will not be appointed if there appears to be a conflict of interest for people working in other areas of the criminal justice system.

Applicants must include on their application form details of any convictions which have resulted in a term of imprisonment other than those spent by reason of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and also disclose any formal cautions, warnings or reprimands, and must also consent to a criminal records check being made.

It should be noted that having a criminal record or unspent convictions is not an automatic barrier to becoming a custody visitor.

How are Independent Custody Visitors selected and trained?

All applicants will need to complete a standard application form, and those selected will be invited to attend an interview.
If selected, successful applicants will attend an information and training session organised by the Police Authority. The training programme is made up of practical and theoretical exercises covering all aspects of custody visiting and is complemented by a set of guidelines and the basic principles of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE).
Visitors may claim casual car user allowance and other associated out-of -pocket expenses, for example tunnel fees, incurred whilst carrying out their roles.
All volunteers are issued with an official identity card which they must use when visiting. Custody visitor quarterly meetings and additional training sessions are held to keep visitors informed of new developments and to share experiences.
All appointments will initially be for three years, and will be confirmed once a satisfactory six - month probationary period has been completed.

How can I apply?

We are not currently recruiting additional custody visitors, but details will appear in the local press and on our website when we undertake our next recruitment campaign.