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The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) North Wales is looking for members of the public from across the region to join as volunteer Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs), who visit detainees in police custody after their arrest. Through these visits, ICVs provide independent oversight, ensuring that detainees requirements are met, and their rights are respected.
ICVs are required to conduct a minimum of 10 visits per year. These visits are crucial in ensuring regular oversight and monitoring of detainees’ welfare and treatment. Individuals undertaking the role will play a pivotal role in observing the conditions in custody, the treatment of detainees, and reporting on the rights and wellbeing of those in custody in a safeguarding capacity. Visits carried out to custody suites are unannounced and not planned to ensure an unbiased assessment of the conditions experienced by detainees.
Applications for recruitment are now open and will close on 20 March 2024 and, if successful, training will be held mid-July. The OPCC is particularly interested in recruiting Welsh speakers and members of the black and ethnic minority communities as part of their ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity and diversity in the workplace and to reflect the population served.
From April to December 2023 there were a total of 89 visits made by ICVs. Currently there are 24 custody volunteers across the region.
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said: “Having Independent Custody Visitors is hugely beneficial, as the welfare of individuals in custody is important for us all. As the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, ensuring a fair and effective criminal justice system is a key priority in my plan for fighting crime in North Wales.
“Becoming a custody visitor offers a unique opportunity to ensure the treatment of those held in custody conforms to the rules governing the process.”
Current Independent Custody Visitor Vicki Cooper reflected on her experiences by saying: “I have been an ICV visitor for nearly 10 years and do visits with another ICV colleague about once a month, each visit is different and can take about 2-3 hours. The training I initially received was excellent and I’m confident that the training and support given to me gave me the confidence to start visiting.
“Being an ICV fits well into my working life and allows me on opportunity to meet other ICV colleagues, all of whom are of different ages and come from different walks of life and bring vastly different experience. I would encourage people of all ages and from all backgrounds to join the volunteer ICV scheme and see for yourself the positive impact the scheme delivers.”
All Independent Custody Visitor work done is on a voluntary basis, and travelling expenses are reimbursed by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
To apply or learn more about becoming a volunteer Independent Custody Visitor, please visit the OPCC North Wales website: https://www.northwales-pcc.gov.uk/vacancies